Hello everyone,
As someone who started NROL for Men about a two months ago, I have been lurking around this website. I am happy to say a lot of my questions have been answered from this resource.
I was hoping that I could get some insight on this knee issue that I am experiencing.
I am currently 24 years old, and have been lifting since 17. However, I have not seriously trained my legs before beginning the NROL book. No squats, etc.
December 2007, I developed tendonitis and bursitis on my left shoulder so I took about a year off the gym. I was in my senior year of college so I got tied up in finishing my thesis and proposals. This time off allowed me to reflect on my method of lifting. Previously I was pretty confident on my lifting methods since I do a lot of research on the topic, but the injury made me realize that I was doing something wrong and started to look for other methods of working out. Obviously something was wrong with isolation training although I got tremendous results on my upper body.
I found the concepts in NROL very interesting and decided to give it a shot. I am glad to say, the shoulder has taken care of itself, and touch-wood, it is as good as new. However, I have hit another road block after completing the Break-In and Hypertropy I programs.
I started to feel a subtle discomfort on my left knee during the last days of the break in period, I ignored it and worked through the Hypertrophy I program, during which the discomfort increased to slight pain. Now at Hypertrophy II, the pain is much more noticeable, and I am getting worried about what I might be doing to my knee.
The following are some details on my injury.
1. When did the pain begin?
The pain started a couple of weeks into my Break-In program. This was the first time I was doing squats and deadlifts seriously.
2. What were you doing at the time? Or did the pain come on gradually over time?
The pain came on gradually over time.
3. Where, anatomically, is the pain?
The pain is on my left knee, feels like it is under the top part of the knee cap.
4. What does the pain feel like? Sharp? Dull? Aching? Stabbing? Shooting?
It is pretty sharp, but not unbearable.
5. Is the pain constant, or intermittent, or only on certain motions?
The pain is not present when my leg is resting. However I feel it when I move my left leg (take the stairs, press down the clutch pedal of my car, do lunges, squats, getting out of my car etc).
6. What motions make your pain worse?
Bending the knee under load.
7. What, if anything, makes your pain better?
Not moving the leg.
8. Does your pain radiate to any other part of your body?
It does not.
9. What things could you do before, that you cannot do now because of your injury?
Nothing in particular. But now I feel pain when taking the stairs, and doing other stuff I used to be able to do pain free.
10. What is your main concern regarding the pain and its consequences?
That I might be hurting my knee further by continuing to squat or lunge.
11. Have you ever injured that part of your body before? If so, how?
No
12. Is your pain getting worse over time? And if so, how much worse over what time period?
The pain has gotten worse over time, it started from a faint discomfort about two months ago to pretty concerning pain.
I would appreciate it if someone could help me out with this, as it is a little frustrating to return to the gym after a year of taking off due to one injury, only to develop another issue
