Squatting every other day makes the pain Go Away

[aporter600]

Hey Rip,

I have had some lower knee and hip pain for a few months now. I am going in for X-rays on the knee and an MRI on the hip next week. I think I tweaked my knee doing some kickboxing a few months back, and the hip has been messed up for a while. The ball at the top of my left leg bone doesn't want to move properly in my hip socket. I get a constant popping/jarring/grinding when its rotated outward, and when the leg is extended upward (Imagine lying on your back and lifting your leg straight up. When you lower the leg, there is a popping/jarring in the joint). I quit the SS program in early June to give the knee some time to heal and have x-rays on the hip. Well, the knee still hurts and the hip x-rays showed nothing. Now, the MRI and X-rays have been pushed back a few times. In the meantime, I started back on the SS program a few weeks ago, slow progression, to see how it feels. The funny thing is, the knee pain and hip pain seem to go away for hours after my workouts. Its like the pain is gone (until I wake the next day). I know you're not a doctor, but my question to you is: Should I stop working out until I get a diagnosis, or can I keep going? And why does the pain seem to go away? Sorry I got long winded.

Thanks

[Mark Rippetoe]

It is usually the case that if something feels better with activity, the activity is probably not a problem. Things often feel better and sound better when movement pushes the fluid out of structures that are inflamed. The MRI will show any osteoarthritis in the hip and soft-tissue shit in the knee, if you really decide to spend the money on it. But is it necessary to know a precise diagnosis if it is not going to result in surgery and if the movement actually makes it feel better? Is it healing?

[aporter600]

The x-rays and MRI scans are covered 100% by my insurance, so I have no problem checking it out. The knee hasn't really healed any, nor gotten any worse. I work a cramped desk job, so it's hard to get my knee stretched into a comfortable position during the day. The leg is always in a bent postion. I may have my desk raised and lengthen to alleviate the stress on my legs. I've been taking more 10 minute walks during the day to loosen up; we'll see how that helps. I haven't started back with cleans yet; I've been doing pull ups until my knee feels better. Would you say that a good idea? Laying off of the cleans for a bit?

As far as the hips goes, it's hard to say if its healing because it constantly pops/grinds; doesn't really hurt, just aggravating. The doctor said there may be some ligament damage near the bottom of the hip, or osteoarthritis like you said. The the MRI should tell more. The one thing I do notice is I tend to shift my weight onto my right side as I come up during my squats. I am fixing that, but it puts a little more stress on the hip.

This shit makes me feel way older than 29

[FatButWeak]

Rip: You are asking a logical question only if the OP is paying for his own medical treatment. If the payment mechanism is cost spread (either privately or publicly) he does not give a damn. Yet again, a problem inherent with/to "single payer" (i.e. someone other than the patient) medical treatment delivery systems - a disaffected, uninterested, slack jawed public. See, e.g., Great Britain.

[Mark Rippetoe]

Laying off of the cleans for a bit?

If your knees are bothering you, cleans may be out for a while. I'm puzzled by your impression that chins are a substitute for cleans; you should have been doing them anyway.

[aporter600]

Rip: You are asking a logical question only if the OP is paying for his own medical treatment.

Yes, it was a logical question. I pay for my insurance, and the x rays are covered 100%. Not sure why you added 2 cents, but I guess that's your deal.

If your knees are bothering you, cleans may be out for a while. I'm puzzled by your impression that chins are a substitute for cleans; you should have been doing them anyway.

Not trying to sub the cleans with chins from a benefit stand point, just using the time I would have done cleans by doing chins. I had been doing chins twice a week when I had extra time, now I have a set spot for them.

Thanks for your time.