Thread: Here's a question for ya

I feel for you!

I used to love to do squats and hacks. But I started to develop real bad pain in my left knee. I stopped the squats, took a month off of leg work, started a glucosamine regime and now only do seated presses, extensions and leg excersises that do not put the same force on my knee as a squat. My legs have filled back out, and while I miss the squats, I don't miss the pain.

If your just starting to feel it, stop before it gets worse.

There are other ways to work your legs.

I might not be much help with this, Babs....but I have trouble with my right knee doing squats - and have to be real careful. I'm sure you already know more than I do about all this, but are you taking things like glucosamine or a compound that includes this?

I've seen products out there that are compound supplements marketed as "joint soothers," but I don't know how effective they are or how directed they might be for specific joint issues associated with lifting. Maybe someone can help with that....

Thing with leg press is I don't feel as though I've worked them the following day. I FEEL it the day of...but never the day after. As with squats, I feel it the day of and a couple days after.

I LOVE SQUATS. I can't say no to them.....ugh....

I have a bad knee. Sports injury. Dislocation and torn tend. etc..... Therefore I'm limited on lunges which that stinks too. The only way I can do lunges is if I'm walking, (if standing in place) lung onto block or cable lunges. I've noticed my "injured" knee to hurt while doing leg extensions. Think I'm falling apart.

Originally posted by kbm8795
I might not be much help with this, Babs....but I have trouble with my right knee doing squats - and have to be real careful. I'm sure you already know more than I do about all this, but are you taking things like glucosamine or a compound that includes this?

I've seen products out there that are compound supplements marketed as "joint soothers," but I don't know how effective they are or how directed they might be for specific joint issues associated with lifting. Maybe someone can help with that....

Okay. Good point. Thanks for bringing that up. I have noticed those little bottles of pills that "claim" to relieve you of joint pain.

Okay. Anyone ever use them? Did they work for you?

i used one, it did work alittle i must say. but it also could have been a mind thing. it wasn't expensive it was like $6.

Arnica Ointment
by Boiron

Directions: __Gently apply a thin layer of Arnica Ointment to affected area as soon as possible after minor injury, and repeat 3 times a day.

Other Ingredients: __Active: Arnica montana 1X 4%. Inactive: White petrolatum USP.

Does_Not_Contain: __Artificial colors, perfumes

I have been taking Glucosomine/Condroitin for about 5 years.

I highly recommend it.

For the first couple or three months-1500 mg a day. Then you can maintain at 750mg a day.

(Arnica montana)

Arnica is also commonly called leopard's bane. The arnica plant has a bright yellow, daisy-like flower that blooms around July. Preparations made from the flowering heads have been used in homeopathic medicine for hundreds of years. It is popular in Germany and over 100 drug preparations are made from the plant. Arnica is a perennial that is protected in parts of Europe.

The active components in arnica are sesquiterpene lactones, which are known to reduce inflammation and decrease pain. Other active principals are thymol (an essential oil), flavonoids, inulin, carotenoids and tannins.

Arnica works by stimulating the activity of white blood cells that perform much of the digestion of congested blood, and by dispersing trapped, disorganized fluids from bumped and bruised tissue, joints and muscles.

Arnica is known to stimulate blood circulation and can raise blood pressure, especially in the coronary arteries. The plant is used externally for arthritis, burns, ulcers, eczema and acne. It has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities that can reduce pain and swelling, improving wound healing.

Part Used: Extract of the blossoms

Common use: It is typically rubbed on the skin to soothe and heal bruises, sprains, and relieve irritations from trauma, arthritis and muscle or cartilage pain. Applied as a salve, arnica is also good for chapped lips, irritated nostrils and acne.

Care: Grows in moist, sandy soil with adequate drainage. Likes full sun.

Toxicity: The internal use of Arnica is not suggested. It can cause vomiting, weakness, increased heart rate and nervous disturbances.

I hear you on the not feeling the leg presses!

Until I started pushing over 850lbs for 2 sets of 8 reps or more when I can, I did not feel them that much either. Now, my legs are sore for several days after leg day. They really burn when you get enough weight on there.

I work up to the heavy stuff by starting out with 4 plates (45lbs ea.) then 8 then 14 then last few I rack out the bar with 16 plates on the bar and one plate on top.

It's weird that I can go so heavey on the leg presses, but if I even try squating with a small amount of weight, the pain comes back.

Right after the legs presses, I jump over to the extensions and end up going pretty heavy there also.

By the time I've gone through my whole leg routine, I'm limping out of the gym

If you try to work through that type of injury and continue to do the thing that aggravates it, your asking for trouble and some serious down time. It sucked not being able to work my legs at all for a month after I injured my knee.

Now, I've got a pretty solid set of legs on me that are in porportion to my upper body.

I refuse to do lunges... as for squats I have no problems, but I go slow on the reps, otherwise eventually my knees will make me aware of thier presence for a few days, and I dont like that when I'm not even 30 yet.

Originally posted by BabsieGirl
Does anyone have joint problems when doing Hack squats or when doing squats period?

No.

Lately I've been experiencing joint pain when performing squats. No matter what type of squat I'm doing, IT STILL HURTS.

Stop doing them.

I've been reading where "peanut butter" will help with joint issues. What are your thoughts and do any of you have this pain? Mostly, it's my hip.

No, but I read that jelly helps...just kidding, try Glucosamine/Chondroitin.

Originally posted by BabsieGirl
I've been reading where "peanut butter" will help with joint issues.

Were they talking about natural PB or the commercial stuff?

j/k ...

squat is hard enough without joint pains and what not.. i'd hate to do them if they were injuring me.. but no, i have no real pains doing them

I love prince's answers, they are so blunt and to the point, ha ha good times.

I get pain in my left hip Babs. Must be getting old. I would try different footing postures and see if that helps at all.

Thanks guys. This is just so depressing.

I will try what prince and mrguy requested I take for my joints.

Does anyone know the "cause" of joint pain?

So, MrGuy -- You developed nice quads with just the press? That's awsome. I know I don't want down time and I can't stand doing the same ol leg routine either.

Rock -- I'll try changing my footing also. I'm gonna give it one last try.

Anyone recommend any specific leg routines for quads?

Hey Bab's, before you give it one last try, make sure you take a week or two off for the inflammation to subside. Many times you've inflammed the tissue and it needs to heal. Take 3-4 ibuprofen w/ 2 extra strength tylenol every 4-6 hours for a week or two and then go back to it slowly. And don't forget to ice your knees.

If you don't take the time off, You will not heal!!! Ok Babs?

Okay. Thanks Rock. I'll take your advice. It HARD to but I will.

Stretch... Glutosamine, Chondriant, MSM, Sharkcartilage, Geliton EFA's...

Use a lighter weight with the motion befour going full blow...

Warm up jogs...


Countless things... goodluck

Thanks Plouffe.

I warmed up and stretched.....I COULD ONLY SQUAT 125LBS.......That's pretty bad and that's just how much it hurt. I could handle the weight it was just coming up (while tucking the hips) that really hurt.

I did notice one thing that helped a little and I don't know that you're suppose to do this. But, on the way up, I pressed (with my hands) the weight off my shoulders(lifting the bar off my shoulders) a bit. It helped get me through my pinch.

I know it's hard to take the time off, but you'll be much better in the long run. If you try to work through it you'll only hurt more and be able to do less!

just finished leg day.. i feel great.. NOT! haha.. i feel great that it's over with

Originally posted by BabsieGirl

I warmed up and stretched.....I COULD ONLY SQUAT 125LBS.......That's pretty bad and that's just how much it hurt.

If it hurts that bad Babs, you really need to take some time off from squats. I agree with Rock about taking Motrin and icing the joint. I would sub 45 degree leg presses and extensions for a few weeks while you're healing.