My left knee has been giving me problems more and more frequently. It used to be when there were specific things I would do like heavy power cleans or prolonged holds in bent leg positions during BJJ then my knee would swell, stiffen and then require lots of RICE to recover. Lately my knee problems pop up just from standing too long or walking for distance. I wanted to hear from others who suffer from this condition and what has helped them. It is affecting my ability to do cardio and also be consistent with my MMA training. I'm going to the doc on monday to get clearance to see a specialist. Thanks for any help.
"I'm going to the doc on monday to get clearance to see a specialist."
Smart move, IMO. Make sure to get to that specialist as soon as you can, too.
With knee problems, there are so many things that it could be, its very hard to figure it out without the help of a doctor. X-rays and/or an MRI are really your best bet.
I was walking around on what I thought to be a torn meniscus for over a month... when I finally got my MRI I found out it was a fully torn ACL and that I needed major surgery. I wish I had gone to the doctor sooner, I'd be 1 month closer to full recovery by now.
Go get it looked at and good luck! If you do end up needing surgery make sure to be extremely pro-active in your rehabilitation.
Take care bro
I had similar symptoms, Cr8. Mine turned out to be a delaminated meniscus and weak hips which made my knee turn in when I was bending, and got my patella off track. A delaminated meniscus is just general deterioration and roughness in the donut-shaped cartilage that goes between your hip bone and shin bones.
Physical therapy to strengthen the hip abductors and glutes, ice, slow cycling on an exercise bike to get swelling down and speed healing, and glucosamine/chondroitin supplements have reduced the problem so I won't need surgery just yet.
If you do need arthroscopic surgery, it can return you to 100% capability much of the time.
Definitely go to the specialist sooner than later, even if you have to pay.
Thanks for the replies guys. Definately going to see the specialist asap.
I don't have any science to back it up, but Kettlebell swings really strengthened my knee after surgery.
"It is affecting my ability to do cardio"
I'm sure I have previously read here that rowing does not put great pressure on the knee and is used/suggested for rehab. Therefore you could use it instead of running/skipping/other cardio.
But I guess it depends on the severity of the problem/injury. Good luck with the doctor.
"I was walking around on what I thought to be a torn meniscus for over a month"
Leftbench did a doctor tell you it was a torn meniscus or did you just assume thats what it was?
My doc told me I had a surface tear of my medial meniscus but it hasn't healed in a year. I hope he made the right diagnosis.