Knee pain/injury and Lunges

[liftintexas]

I haven't done lunges in a long time, mainly because I stupidly guard my knee to the point that I have weakened a lot of my leg muscle. I talked to the ortho surgeon about 6 weeks ago and the only lifting he said "no" to were leg extensions.

I did lunges last week and they hurt. Not from a muscle fatigue standpoint, but from a pain in the knee standpoint. But it could be that I'm just a wuss and my mind is trying to protect my knee or that the pain I was feeling was really a warning sign to not do these.

Anyone else experience problems with lunges and knee injuries?

Sorry for the randomness of this question that sounds so elementary as I try to type it out.

[bryanc]

What's your knee history? Why are you guarding so much?

[liftintexas]

Genetically, bad knees - slanted knee caps.

I dislocated the right knee cap 4+ years ago. It still hurts on occasion and always feels weeks and shaky. following the injury, I did 10 weeks of PT, but things have never been the same.

[bryanc]

Other than your knee cap instability, do you have knee joint instability? If so, how did you acquire it and what kind of joint instability?

[liftintexas]

hmmm... I don't know, Bryan. My knee has never locked up (other than during the PT timeframe). It has given out only once about 3 months ago, but that was because I tripped while running in a field and I kinda turned the knee.

I'm probably not answering your question well because I do not know the terminology.

[bryanc]

Well, if it's mostly your kneecap, then try this program:

http://forums.jpfitness.com/archive/...hp?t-5940.html

It's the drop squat program we use here at Sport Medicine. Evidence-supported too! Though, I honestly can't remember where it was published...

You may just have to work your way back up lunges.

[liftintexas]

Thanks, Bryan!