Ouch, my aching knees..pls help!

[beanqueen]

hi,

well...my knees are KILLING ME!!! ouchie!!!!! i have a history of shin splints....but my knees have never really been a problem.

i work out on pads (kinda like gymnastic pads) and have new shoes. (ryka..although, i'm thinkng of switching to something different w/ more cushion) i don't typically do too high of impact workouts..although, recently, i've been trying to challenge myself, and have started doing higher impact cathe's vids.

and now my knees and the muscles on right above and around the knee (kinda like the quad area, but lower) hurt!!!!!! it doesn't matter if i do low impact and no jumping, OUCHIE! it's not like i'm tired, but i can't workout b/c of the knee pain. my knees don't hurt in normal walking etc...although, after workouts, and first thing in the morning they're kinda stiff and ouchie-ish. (is that a word? it just starts hurting )

i realize age (40 going on 41 is definitely a factor) but....the fact that it's not just my knees, but the muscles right above my knees makes me think..."hmmmm..." i don't think i have an injury of any sort. but can't figure out how, and why that area of my leg is so bothersome (my shin splints are actually not too problematic at this point!)

do i need to avoid stepping? (yesterday, i did a christi step tape..no impact, and felt okay for the first 25 mins or so..then my knees started to act up. i'm wondering if it's just a 'step issue'???? or if it's something i need to rectify with more stretching? i used to do yoga stretches after all my workouts, but more recently have been pressed for time, so i haven't done them as often or as thoroughly.

would stretching help rectify things? ice? no workouts??!! (gasp!!!!!!!!) i need my cardio...i'm thinking of taking off for a few days, and doing only yoga/pilates..but fear for the lack of cardio..(in addition, i need to exert and workout daily for medical reasons and side health problems)

i'd appreciate your thoughts, opinions or rec's on this...thanks so much!

 

[fitxme]

Wow...that doesn't sound good.

I really don't have any advice, but rather some things for you to consider.

You may be taking on too much to fast and while you say you have purchased new shoes, you may not have the type of shoes that are appropriate for your foot-type. The fact that you had the problem with shin splints causes me to question your shoes as well. Secondly, do you do any type of weight training? You cannot strengthen your knees, but you can certainly strengthen the muscles around them particualary your quads and hamstrings.

At this point, I would suggest rest, Ice and anti-inflammatories. When you go back to cardio, do so ever so slowly and gradually build up your endurance. Once your knees are feeling better, I would suggest strengthening you leg muscles.

I don't think age is a factor at all, but you can't just go high impact when that's not what you're used to. That goes for anyone at any age.

I hate to say this, but the high-impact may not be for you and if it's not that's okay. There are several women on the board how do the higher intensity workouts but with modifications. There are also several that use rebounders with the workouts to ease the impact. So, cardio is not out the question...you just may need to make few adjustments.

Take care...


~Marietta
FITXME
http://www.picturetrail.com/fitxme

 

[Miss Lee]

Hi,

Are you doing a lot of quad work? If you work your quads and don't do a proper stretch, you can rotate your knee joint out of alignment. Also, if you neglect the opposing hamstring muscles you can really throw yourself out of whack.

I would take a break from exercise for a few days then start back up slowly. Make sure you stretch after your workout while your muscles are warm. If you're still having a problem, then you should probably call your doctor. Hope this helps.

Michele

 

[beanqueen]

thanks so much, marietta and michele.

hmmm...you may have a point about strengthening my quads and the muscles around the knees. i haven't been doing any weight training at all (esp the legs..due to bulking issues) but did low max the other day, which does have alot of lower body work. maybe i need to increase my lower body strength.... maybe it's not only the 'impact factor', but also just a leg strengthening issue. hmmm....

i definitely need to get new shoes. the ryka rythmns just aren't doing it for me.

i'm wondering, even doing step WITHOUT impact causes discomfort. could it be just the 'stepping' itself?

i used to have a rebounder, and used it for my jump roping modifications...i may need to go out and get another one! (although, i'm very prone to motion sickness, and sometimes all that bouncing...made me kinda nauseous! eek! ....)

anyhow, thanks so much for your responses....guess it's gonna be yoga only for a few days... oh well!

thank you!