Nagging sharp knee cap pain

[Sam Mack]

Hey there.

I've been doing the program for a couple months now, and have been having the same recurring issue with my right knee on every heavy squat day, and lingering pain in the days after squatting. When I squat, half way to depth there is a popping sound, a grinding sensation and a sharp pain, on top of my right patella. If I were to point to the pain, I would put my index finger right on the center of my patella. Its on the surface, and if I place my finger there and do a bodyweight squat I can actually palpate a griding/rubbing feeling. Its audible too, and quite loud. I do a light squat day on Wednesday. I exagerrate the "hips back" que and keep my shins more vertical to try and alleviate some of the pain, which sort of helps, but still hurts. Whats going on here? Thanks in advance

[Mark Rippetoe]

Video?

[Sam Mack]

I'll record my squats today and post a clip

[Sam Mack]

Here it is, sorry for the bad angle it was the best I could do at a busy gym. For some reason uploading to YouTube also butchered the quality.

Squat form check - YouTube

[Mark Rippetoe]

Stop lifting your chest before you get to the top of the squat.

[Sam Mack]

Okay Ill fix that during this weeks squats

Some information I should have included in the OP:

This injury/inflammation as ebbed and flowed over time, but has been at its worst since last Monday the 22nd during squats which is what prompted me to post here. During rep 4 of set 2 there was a much louder than usual pop over my knee cap. Since then every time I take step up or down on stairs, kneel down to pick something up or perform any other day to day activity there is a sharp pain right over the knee cap, whereas before it was just a lot of the time.

[Mark Rippetoe]

Have you had the knee examined?

[Sam Mack]

I have an appointment with my family doctor scheduled for May 13, I will post an update on what the diagnosis is.

[Mark Rippetoe]

Your family doctor cannot reliably diagnose a knee injury. He will give you NSAIDs and tell you to stop squatting.

[Martin Shenfield]

If he replaces the word squat with sit back and down he might get some answer, and he won't need to lie either.

In the land of Oz, almost all specialists require referral from a regular GP doctor. Another reason our country sucks for you.