Expert advice needed

[fencer]

Hi Rip,

Firstly thank you if you have time to read this. This problem is the bane of my life and I’ve been in constant pain for the last 6-10 months. It affects my sporting life, relationships and work because I am always in pain instead of being my active self.

Both my knees are pretty messed up. I have seen a physio therapist who told me I have Chondromalacia Patella. Basically my knee caps probably don’t track properly and this causes them to grind damaging my cartilage and causing my knees to flare up. Since cartilage cannot grow back I was told I have two options. Try to build my muscle up to take pressure off my knee cap or have surgery. I tried resting (stopping exercises for about 6 weeks). I then did a couple months of physiotherapy and it didn’t really make much difference. I did (Hip flexors stretch 2x5, Single leg Mini-squats 3x20, Squat with ball between legs 3x20 and some glute and hip flexor exercises). I should perhaps say this this point my leg certainly has some imbalances since my main sport is Fencing which is tough on my knees (although my glutes are fine).

I’ve been doing SS for about 2 months now. My squat has went from 30 to 70KG. Pain hasn’t decreased, in fact maybe increased and I get the occasional flare up where it’s too painful to squat. The pain I have right now is all around the knee (as opposed to mainly being top and bottom)

I want to get an MRI scan to really see what’s wrong with them. I went to a Dr who told me I shouldn’t be squatting and instead be doing ‘Leg raises’ as this will protect the knees better. Either way he has referred me to a knee specialist who I won’t meet for a couple weeks.

Is it possible – are my knees that fucked I shouldn’t be squatting until I have got them to a better state? Another ‘physiotherapist’ told me to save my knees I need to do glute and hip strengthening exercises and ones that target the vmo. They then gave me some exercises (Single leg glute bridges, Petterson step up (progressing with weight-progressed to side step-ups to bench with weight), leg extension with foot pointed out and ITB stretches.

So I’m at your mercy. What would you recommend?

[Mark Rippetoe]

I'd recommend reading the posts on this board. This has been dealt with hundreds of times. SEARCH FUNCTION.

[vanslix]

He'd recommend do the program. And for what it's worth, strength may or may not get rid of the pain. But in my mind (and many others on this board) it's better to be strong and in pain then weak and in pain. Either way, you're in pain but one is certainly more desirable. If squats are causing pain, get your form checked by a coach.