Knee pain from hiking
I've had this injury on my left leg since my kickboxing days and whenever I go hiking with my dogs for an extended period of time, I feel a sharp pain in the tendons in the back of my knee (not sure what its called.. posterier crucial ligament? or are those the hamstring tendons?), especially when I am going downhill.
Anyway... I went to China 2 months ago and climbed the Great Wall. It was a tough one hour plus climb, and I was so determined to make it to the top that I forgot about my knee injury! So when I got to the top, I had to come back down, and thats when I felt the pain again. It was the most painful experience ever, I was limping down those steps like an old man!
I am able to walk without limping the next day. But the pain did not go away. Now, whenever I put my left leg in full extension, I feel the pain in those tendons. I am afraid to do squats or any exercises that would put pressure on the joint. I've talked to a physiotherapist and she said all I can do is ice it and stretch it daily and that it would take a long time to heal.
Anyone here gone through this before? what kind of leg exercises is safe for me to perform? what to avoid? what stretches would be beneficial? thanks.
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