Knees are weak [Archive]

Haltered

07-02-2010, 08:20 PM

About a year ago my dog dislocated my left kneecap during a walk. It was very brief and only lasted as long as her nose was putting pressure on the cap. While recovering from that, my limp caused my right knee to become aggravated as well. So fast forward about a year of not being able to squat, deadlift, or even sit down without pain or assistance- I am frustrated as can be. I can still ride a bicycle fortunately. My left knee pops when I get around parallel to the ground in a squat, and it comes from the outer part of the knee, just under the cap. I can do partials OK, and deadlifts are possible with more of a romanian deadlift form.

I am pretty sure my hamstrings are weak and part of the problem, and I have been doing good mornings. I can't do leg extensions, they really make my knee light up. Even with no weight and just straightening the leg in front of me, it hurts. It also hurts worse if I pull or press on the hamstring during the movement. I was doing really well with lunges for a while, but now I can't even do them without pain and instability. My knees are just plain weak.

What are my options here? Seems like I might need surgery or something at this point, I was really hoping that time and some rehab would smooth things out. I hate to think that I have become an old man that can't squat any more. That and deadlift have always been my favorites. Without those, I don't even have the drive to do upper body workouts with zest. I feel like some sort of idiot working out just the upper body anyway.

Help me out. If I can't get this sorted out, I am going to die a young and weak man I am afraid. It is hard to survive when you can't even get out of a fawking chair.

Haltered

07-06-2010, 06:03 PM

Looks like I killed the rehab forum :lol:

Good news is that the popping and pain seem to be better than they were 8 weeks ago. I sat down on the toilet this morning without a pop, no arm assistance! First time in almost a year. Good lord, it would sound so trivial to the average person.

PeteM

07-06-2010, 10:39 PM

I would initialy start with some high frequency foam rolling - as in every day. Only takes about 10 min and it will make a world of difference. This is what I do - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prL_DWnocmU

Second, I would start doing alot more uni-lateral type exercises. Revese lunges, step ups, split squats, single leg RDL, even single leg deadlifts. Stay out of all machines - leg press, leg extenstion, hack squat, smith machine etc. Start with body weight, and work up from there.

sassy69

07-07-2010, 02:28 PM

Jrod5150

07-07-2010, 06:01 PM

If it helps. you might look into some elastic / nylon knee sleeves. I use these - I try to not use knee wraps for things that aren't really heavy lifts - don't want to make them a crutch, but the nylon sleeves give enough compression and support to help keep things aligned and allow me to do lifts.

Were can I find some of these? Also, were can I get some good elbow straps? I use ace bandages for my elbows when I do heavy lifting and there a pain in the ass.

roadwarrior

07-07-2010, 06:15 PM

http://www.prowriststraps.com/knee_support_knee_brace_knee_sleeve

Jrod5150

07-07-2010, 06:41 PM

:wallbash:
http://www.prowriststraps.com/knee_support_knee_brace_knee_sleeve

Nice! They got a lot of good stuff on there. I hope I don't get the wrond size.

sassy69

07-08-2010, 12:38 AM

I don't know how to compare the sizes here vs what I was going to suggest - just go to a Sports Authority where they have the whole wall of straps, wraps, supports, jockstraps even (??) -- usually to the left by the free weigts, kettlebells, weightbelts, etc. The brand I use is McDavid. You can open the plastic containers and try them out for size.

xrsist

07-19-2010, 11:54 PM

I prefer the use of an athletic tape to strap the knees.
Simple patellar taping will help the knees strength and balance, great for every day use, but also crutial for training with weak or loose knees.