NROL without legs

[lawyerjoke]

As much as I've tried to deny it, I think I'm going to have to go to the doctor about my right knee. It continues to cause me pain -- I've tried laying off workouts for several days, then I workout and am able to get through the exercises, but the next day it's killing me again. At this point, it feels like its bruised just under my knee cap (though there's no outward sign of injury), and even just walking is somewhat painful. I'm sure it's not just post-exercises soreness. Several days rest have done nothing to relieve it. I don't think I'm going to push it with squats, deads or lunges for awhile.

Which causes me DEEP distress. I've made some great gains despite the fact that I'm brand new to NROL, and I'm not sure how to proceed if I can't use my knee.

What do you do in NROL if you can't do leg work for awhile? Do you just leave out those exercises and do the others (that seems like it would short-circuit the whole intent of the program, since I know the exercises are designed to work together and compound lifts so extremely important ...) Do I switch to a different routine altogether for awhile?

Could sure use some help here -- thank y'all in advance!

[cdkrug]

Might also wanna post this in the Injuries board.

[RobLL]

Don't mean to be overly obvious, but this sounds bad enough that you need to be seen by appropriate medical people. After that Mike Robertson has a great DVD / manual Bullet Proof Knees. Just got it and passed it on to my son who needs it more than me.

[lawyerjoke]

Rob,

I agree -- I plan on seeing a doctor. However, in the meantime I could really use some advice on how to proceed with my training (i.e., which program to use, or which substitutions to make) while I'm unable to do leg exercises.

Thanks!

[RobLL]

I/O seems to indicate that pain is a good guide. If it doesn't hurt its probably OK; if it hurts stop doing it. I imagine some knowledgeable people will chime in on the sorts of exercise that tend to be OK, but I'll bet they will be very tentative until you have a diagnosis.

[RobLL]

oops, not I/O, Bullet Proof Knees

[UConnJulie]

Lawyer, sounds like you could have some fat pad irritation (there is a fat pad between your patella and your femur) or some tendinitis/tendinosis ... have you been icing? How's your quad flexibility?

[lawyerjoke]

Julie,

Icing . . hmm! That's a great idea (I haven't been . . . )

My quad flexibility seems to be fine -- several months ago, I hurt both quads by jumping around too much with my kids when I was still really tight from exercising -- took awhile to heal. Otherwise, everything on me feels fine and I've got good range of motion in all the exercises -- it's just the knee that puzzles me.

It has been quirky since I started -- creaking and popping (the left one doesn't), and sometimes feeling "loose". It's generally sore now, and particularly tender to the touch at one specific location at the center of my kneecap.

I've got an appointment with my regular doc, who I expert will refer me someplace else. However, I have no experience in treating "sports injuries" -- is there a particular type of specialist that I should expect a referral to?

Thanks!

[UConnJulie]

Depending upon where you live and what your insurance is, in general you can expect to either see a physical therapist, or perhaps an orthopedic surgeon. Some primary doctors feel comfortable referring directly to a PT, and others want you to see an ortho first (for CYA purposes).