Knees are killing me!

[Jayzzz]

No I'm not old or obese, but after I play tennis my tennis kill me. It may be the jarring running back and forth to get the ball, which is probably why I spend 99% of the time at the baseline, unless I have to come to the ball. I cross train with powerlifting and my knees have never heard from doing heavy deadlifts and squats. Any ideas? I lift twice a week and play tennis for 2 hours about 4-5 times a week.

[netman]

Your knees are subjected to a full range of motions when you play tennis so they are stressed in every angle of movement. In particular the constant starting and stopping is very hard on the cartilage and surrounding soft tissue like ligaments and tendons. So every part of the knee system gets a thorough work out on a tennis court.

Powerlifting is great for developing core strength, but from a knee standpoint, mostly what it is doing is strengthening your legs in a linear, up and down direction. If you have overdeveloped these muscles, they can be overwhelming the components that deal with side to side and angular movement in the knees, hips and back. You should try some full range of motion leg work like lunges in a star pattern.

Finally, don't discount wear and tear. Even young athletes can suffer from cartilage degeneration inside the knee. If you have injuried your knee in the past, evenly slightly, this can increase the rate of wear.

[Ace]

Wouldn't something like rollerblading or ice skating help develop the same muscles as in tennis, since you are pushing off side to side?

[robkat]

I have had the same problems with my knees.. after playing they would be so sore that it hurt to walk the next day. My sollution was to keep my shoes in New shape, buy a new pair when I felt the soreness come back and the thing that has really help my knees are the Dual action Knee straps from Cho-Pat I bougth. They advertise in Tennis magazine and have a website. I bought one knee strap and it made a big difference with my knee .. I imediately bought a second and have been wearing them for about six months and they have worked out excellent. My knees feel fine no soreness at all. When I do feel the sorenees starting, I know it is time to buy a new pair of Shoes and that does it. The new shoes plus the Cho-Pat straps have been amazing. the Knees straps are bit expensive $29 each.. but well worth it. In Tennis Magazine's October Issue there is an ad on page 88.. also the website is www. cho-pat.com

[Ronaldo]

It may be time to get off the hardcourts if possible.

[Marius_Hancu]

>It may be time to get off the hardcourts if possible.

Great idea.

However, for anyone of any age, if having knee pain problems: you should go to an orthopedic surgeon (not chiropractor) and have an x-ray ordered on your knees. That would show if you have any arthritis problems, where the cartilage is getting thin locally. In such cases, you should take glucosamine and even cartilage injections (up to $300 a pop, once in 6 months, just like Mark Phillippoussis does).

If arthritis is happily not present, you should ask for a soft tissue scan (more expensive), this should perhaps show up problems with your ligaments or tendons. Very probably in this case you have knee tendonitis (check Roddick recently). The treatment is the same as for tennis elbow: rest, light weight strength training.

BTW, heavy lifting can contribute to cartilage wearing out. I had problems after leg pressing weights in the 400lbs area. That machine (the leg press machine) is pretty dangerous, I'd suggest using the squats instead.

[andfor]

Of course your knee problems could be anything and only and Orthopedic Doc or good Physical Therapist will be able to tell you best.

My story for what it's worth is as follows. I went through similar knee pain for about 2 and 1/2 years. After a MRI that only showed minute cartilage chips not enough to bother with going under the knife and 3 more visits to the Doc it turned out I just had tight IT Bands. I took lots of Vioxx during that time, thank god I am alive, bought two Cho-pats and one knee brace also cut back bigtime on my singles. I was finally diagnosed by a Physical Therapist. Treatment, stretching and muscles strengthening expercises to balance out my leg strength imbalances.

All better.

Good Luck

[Jayzzz]

Maruious,

I do not use machines such as leg press, smith machine, etc. I only use free weights, and I movements such as deadlifts, squats, bench press, push presses, barbell rows. I lifting only without tennis and my joints feel 100xs better. You'd think lifting would put more strain on my knees but they feel better as opposed to running around a hard court and hitting a ball.


To everybody else, I wish there were grass or clay courts in my area, but unfortunately there aren't. I have limited my tennis playing to once every week or two and there's no more pain. Hoewver, when I do go out on the court and play it just feels unnatural and uncomfortable on my knees, tho no pain. I have no idea how the pros play 11 months out of the year. No wonder they always have injuries and such.

However, i'll keep a close eye on it, hopefully it won't get worse. If the pain comes back I will see a Doctor.

[Marius_Hancu]

Originally Posted by Jayzzz

I do not use machines such as leg press, smith machine, etc. I only use free weights, and I movements such as deadlifts, squats, bench press, push presses, barbell rows.

However, i'll keep a close eye on it, hopefully it won't get worse. If the pain comes back I will see a Doctor.

Check your lifting technique, just in case, with:

http://www.jeanpaul.com/standard.html
http://www.fitstep.com/Advanced/Exercises/Exercises.htm

You have there detailed descriptions for each major lift.

You might also try the olympic lifts as per:
http://www.exrx.net/Lists/PowerExercises.html
as they provide explosiveness
but be careful with the Plyometry exercises there.

Also, check this site:
TRAINING FOR RACQUET SPORTS
http://www.netfit.co.uk/racquets-web.htm

[Marius_Hancu]

Originally Posted by andfor

After a MRI that only showed minute cartilage chips not enough to bother with going under the knife and 3 more visits to the Doc it turned out I just had tight IT Bands.

Interesting, I did not think about it, but yes, it's mentioned as being a source of problems here:

Knee Pain: Possible Causes and Treatment Suggestions
http://www.structuredfitness.net/sfarticle_2_17_03.html

and here:
http://www.richmondmarathon.com/Mess...s/000006d3.htm

Also, check the stretching exercises here:
http://www.ptonthenet.com/article_su...stretching.htm
including for Illiotibial Bands