Knee and Calf Pain

[Qivalon]

Hello All,

The past few months I have been following BOM; however I have been having a lot of knee and calf pain, so after I tried to ignore it for a week or so I went to the doctor.

The doctor said out of all the 40ish patients he has, I am in the best physical health, and he ordered me to continue working out 6 days a week (3 days cardio, 3 days weights). I now have a doctor's permission to do what I have already been doing all along.

Now the bad news -- my knees are getting in such bad shape (genetics) that I have to avoid standing while doing any leg exercises; the risk to my knees are just too great.

For example I can not do leg extensions any more, nor can I do squats of any kind.

So if anyone can help me build a balanced workout routine for my legs that does not put pressure on my knees I would be forever grateful!

Thanks in advance,

Jim~

[Iamjennmedic]

I'm hoping Cressey will answer that exact question on the fitcast. Keep your fingers crossed that kevin asks him and we'll have an anwer by Sunday night.

[diamondpete]

Originally Posted by Qivalon

so I went to the doctor.

I now have a doctor's permission to do what I have already been doing all along.

Now the bad news -- my knees are getting in such bad shape (genetics) that I have to avoid standing while doing any leg exercises; the risk to my knees are just too great.

For example I can not do leg extensions any more, nor can I do squats of any kind.

Jim~

Hi Jim

First off, I would wonder whether he is a sport doctor (or what kind of doctor he is) I think that if you cannot squat, you will not be able to do anything since squatting is such a fundamental movement (is that because he is a sports doc, or because he has the same prejudices as many that squats are bad for your knees) I can see why someone would say NO leg extensions (because they are bad for your knees) but not standing when lifting? and No squats? makes me wonder how bad your knees are. I would suggest posting this and some more info in the injury forum and seeing what Mr. Hartman has to say. What kind of diagnostic tools (x-ray? MRI?)


Sorry I do not have much in the way of advice, I am just curious where your doc is coming from, or how bad things are with your knees.

[Qivalon]

Originally Posted by diamondpete

Hi Jim

First off, I would wonder whether he is a sport doctor (or what kind of doctor he is) I think that if you cannot squat, you will not be able to do anything since squatting is such a fundamental movement (is that because he is a sports doc, or because he has the same prejudices as many that squats are bad for your knees) I can see why someone would say NO leg extensions (because they are bad for your knees) but not standing when lifting? and No squats? makes me wonder how bad your knees are. I would suggest posting this and some more info in the injury forum and seeing what Mr. Hartman has to say. What kind of diagnostic tools (x-ray? MRI?)


Sorry I do not have much in the way of advice, I am just curious where your doc is coming from, or how bad things are with your knees.

Hello Pete,

My knees are a wreck. I have had two major surgeries on the left one, and one major one on my right knee. I had three-quarters of my left kneecap removed and one major metal screw put in to hold everything in place. My right knee had a similar procedure but this time I got two screws instead of one.

The basic problem with my knee (besides arthritis) is the kneecap does not keep pace with my bending leg. As the knee bends the kneecap tends to slide to the side, and when it reaches a certain point, the kneecap “pops” back into place. The doctors are afraid that doing exercises such as squats might force the kneecap to give way causing me to collapse sideways. This last doctor (my primary care doctor) was the third doctor who recommended avoiding doing exercises such as squats. I have to respect their decisions until I can get myself out to JP’s Summit and talk to a few Gurus and see what they say.

My first doctor told me I would be walking with a cane by the time I reach 40, and he is half right – I do walk with a cane but only for long distance walking (such as going to the mall) but he also said I would never be able to do any athletic type of exercises at all. Considering I am in relatively good shape I think I can say I beat his expectations.

Jim~

PS I am not above pushing the edge of the envelope when I comes to bodybuilding I just want to do it as safe as possible.

[diamondpete]

Hi Jim sorry to hear things are so rough on that end. I will have to fall back on my previous post, that being post in the injury form and see what Bill Hartman has to say. Good luck.

Peter

[gobbla]

I have a thread in the injuries section "keeping the knees on track". It sounds pretty simular to what you're having. Now mine doesn't EVEN compair to the degree of yours. But that routine that they gave has made more progress in a week than what I have been doing for the past 4 months.