Full body workouts with bad knee? - JP Fitness Forums

VanceMac · 05-30-2007, 03:21 PM

Hello all! I am a bit frustrated because, after losing a bunch of weight and getting in decent shape, I want to move on to the next level and I feel like my knee (torn miniscus) is holding me back. I want to maximize full-body workouts and have been preaching them for months to everyone who will listen, but I am now fearful of doing anything below the waist. Lunges hurt, squats hurt, step-ups hurt. Deadlifts are not SO bad. I feel like I am turning into a 80's era bodybuilder only doing upper-body stuff the last couple of months.

Short of getting surgery (and the doctor says it is not serious enough to need surgery, really), what is the best way to get all my major compound movements into my workout?

RobLL · 05-30-2007, 03:29 PM

Would Eric C's bullet proof knees be of help, and heck - if you live close by could Eric help?

OldGuy · 05-30-2007, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobLL

Would Eric C's bullet proof knees be of help, and heck - if you live close by could Eric help?

It's Mike Robertson's product.

VanceMac · 05-30-2007, 03:56 PM

I always assumed that product would help prevent injuries in the first place, but I will look into it and see if it could help with such "workarounds" as well. The bad thing about this injury is that there is no cure, other than surgery, and that is not complete. It is more a matter of living within the limitation, from what my doctor says.

RacerBill · 05-30-2007, 08:29 PM

I have some small-scale meniscus problems, too. Some of the exercises in the T-Nation article (the short version of Bullet Proof Knees) have really helped me a lot.

It took a while with some ice and getting the inflammation down and I couldn't really do lower body stuff until that happened. I still have to work within my pain-free range of motion, but lunges, step ups, etc. are all possible. I have to be careful to not overdo it, foam roll frequently (especially the IT band) and twice-daily static stretches.

Lisa~ · 05-31-2007, 07:19 AM

I think that Mike Robertson's Bulletproof Knees is exactly what you need.

VanceMac · 05-31-2007, 12:10 PM

Great, thanks guys, I think I will pick that up!

Jimbo · 05-31-2007, 03:49 PM

I have a bud here that had the same issue. He's a runner and the only time the knee became an issue was when running for distance. So it was just bad enough to cramp his style. He found a great sports med doc who specialized in doing those repairs. He had surgery and was running again within a month of the surgery.

Point is..rehabbing wont "fix" a tear - only surgery. May not be serious enough for surgery as far as walking around but if it is cramping your style in the training department an option is to find a doc who specializes and consider getting it fixed while you are young.

I certainly understand avoiding it. But after seeing my buddie's experience I'm personally a little less afraid to have something like that repaired now. He had a really small incision and it was done microscopically. So very little down time. Now he runs without any pain at all.

PS - I'm not telling you to get cut on..I just wanted to share my friends experience here.

Repairing those tears has come a long way and is pretty commonplace now a days.

VanceMac · 06-01-2007, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimbo

. . . an option is to find a doc who specializes and consider getting it fixed while you are young.

Ah, therein lies part of the rub. At 21 it would be a bit easier of a decision. But now that I am 41, I am a bit less inclined. If that was the only problem, it would also be easier, but I also have tendonitis and softening of the cartiledge in both knees as well, which have dogged me for years, and are also "non-curable". So, fixing the miniscus tear would only be taking care of the most painful and pressing problem.

Kinda like a newly dented bumper on a beat up old truck. Would getting a new bumper really be worth the marginal benefit?

My goal is the keep the ol' truck running as good as possible, and I think I can do a LOT at 41, or even 61, but I am working with damaged hardware to start off with.

RobLL · 06-01-2007, 10:38 AM

Vance - with that many problems have you considered tracking down a top sort of sports rehab specialist/physical therapist? The very best are often the only option for really great results. Maybe you have already done this.

Blackjack · 06-01-2007, 10:55 AM

I'd get a second opinion on the surgery thing. 41 isn't that old IMO, especially as I get closer to that age. Medicine is as subjective as anything else. If athletic performance is a way of life for you now, you should get it repaired. See a good ortho that specializes in sports injuries just like Jimbo said.

Jimbo · 06-01-2007, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VanceMac

Ah, therein lies part of the rub. At 21 it would be a bit easier of a decision. But now that I am 41, I am a bit less inclined. If that was the only problem, it would also be easier, but I also have tendonitis and softening of the cartiledge in both knees as well, which have dogged me for years, and are also "non-curable". So, fixing the miniscus tear would only be taking care of the most painful and pressing problem.

Kinda like a newly dented bumper on a beat up old truck. Would getting a new bumper really be worth the marginal benefit?

My goal is the keep the ol' truck running as good as possible, and I think I can do a LOT at 41, or even 61, but I am working with damaged hardware to start off with.

beat up old truck at 41! Hey..where's that put me at 46?!

Hmm..yeah I see with the other issues it's a tough call. But ultimately, putting myself in your shoes..knees..whatever..if I have an injury that keeps me from training I'm getting it fixed if I can.

You'll talk yourself into it. You know you can't keep just training upper body. Unless you like that bird legs look.:p

VanceMac · 06-01-2007, 11:31 AM

Yeah, I was hoping to find a training routine that would give me the work I need on my legs while working around my knee problem, but I am not sure that is possible.

As for 46, I may be only 41, but my knees are about 75!

Jimbo · 06-01-2007, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VanceMac

Yeah, I was hoping to find a training routine that would give me the work I need on my legs while working around my knee problem, but I am not sure that is possible.

As for 46, I may be only 41, but my knees are about 75!

I hope you find your answers for sure. I know it's got to be frustrating. Good luck to you friend.