Topic: Has anyone out there overcome

[Arden Cogar Jr.]

Hi! Just wondering if any lifters have overcome damaged knee cartilage/chondromalacia. I am awaiting probable surgery for this in my right knee. Any experience and encouragement would be really appreciated.

Colin,
  I've been dealing with this issue for a few years now.  I prefer TK bands to Rehbands for the warmth.  I have tried and like Cissus.  I also use Glucosamine/Chronditin (sp) and MHP's Releve.  I am also an avid user of Dr. Carlson's DHA gold and Biotest's Flame Out. 

To be frank, my knee health has improved since I started olympic lifting. 

It's gotten to a point now, that as long as regularly foam roll my IT bands, quads, and hams (and do my daily yoga), I have very little pain at all.  Ocassionally, I'll jar my right knee doing some jerks; but that's it.

  Just be patient and listen to your body.

All the best,
 Arden

[Colin K Bell]

Thanks Arden. Could you expand on your yoga advice?

[Arden Cogar Jr.]

Thanks Arden. Could you expand on your yoga advice?

Before I begin any training session, I foam roll my entire posterior chain, my quads, and my hip flexors.  The IT bands are given a good going over as well.  You don't know what your missing until you start doing this. I wish I would have been doing this the past 15 years.  I would have avoided a lot of over training and a lot of nagging injureis. 

After that, I go into a self taught yoga session that has several movements and stretches that are derived to engendering hip and shoulder flexibility.  The movements that primarily involve the knee are what many would consider traditional hurdler stretches,  chinease splits (yes my 260lb 38 year old arse can still do splits), foot and ankle to face in various positions, and numerous angles of quad contraction and stretch points.  I never take any of the quad stretches as far as do the hip and shoulder moves/stances.  It's very had to describe in writing. 

I don't know if any of that helps?

All the best,
 Arden

[Colin K Bell]

Thanks Arden. Yes I had tried foam rolling, but gave up due to no results. I actually flattened my foam!! But I still roll my it band with my knuckles. Would I be pushing my luck to ask for name of those yoga holds, so I can google them? ps the surgeon has since refused to operate. He says if I get my right quad bulk back again ( 2cm less than my good leg), my symptoms should ease.

[Arden Cogar Jr.]

Thanks Arden. Yes I had tried foam rolling, but gave up due to no results. I actually flattened my foam!! But I still roll my it band with my knuckles. Would I be pushing my luck to ask for name of those yoga holds, so I can google them? ps the surgeon has since refused to operate. He says if I get my right quad bulk back again ( 2cm less than my good leg), my symptoms should ease.

Kinda hard, but I'll do my best.

First, I'd say get a black foam roller from power systems.  Those things don't budge or flex.

Here's one link with the second pose being one in my routine
http://forums.runnersworld.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/4081032614/m/8731067464

I also do some of what this lady is doing in her routine

Code: [Select]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBg6-5Tsli4#noexternalembed&feature=user
Then try these three stretches every day: Downward Facing Dog to stretch the hamstrings on the back of your thigh; Lunge (do with one leg extended, then the other) to stretch your quadriceps on the front of your thigh; and Side Angle Stretch or Seated Straddle to stretch the inner thighs. After two weeks of daily practice you should notice an improvement.

I tried to inbed the links in that last snippet, I don't know if it worked or not.

Good luck and I wish you happy knee health.

All the best,
 Arden

[Brooke Burkhalter]

I would think, like any sport you can overcome injuries. I have had arthro to repair and REMOVE meniscus in one knee years before I started lifting. I will probably need to get more done eventually. Wrapping with ace bandage (subpatellar wrapping/taping) as mentioned I believe really helps my knees not hurt. That and icing after every lifting session at least before bed. Interestingly knee sleeves if worn during an entire session of snatch, cj, and squats seem to make my knees hurt. Pretty bad sometimes. I still where them on really heavy squats. Glucosamine and fish oil may help.

Their are some pros like Kolecki, Boevski, and I am sure others who have had knee surgery and then gone on to win medals. I wouldn't do it if it did not really bother me. My knee was locked up with a torn meniscus so I had no choice.

[Colin K Bell]

Thanks brethren. Arden thanks for the video, but it comes up "no longer available". ps ref knee bands, Robertson in "bulletproof knees manual" says they are contraindicated if you have cartilage problem. Due too excessive compression.

[Brooke Burkhalter]

By saying knee bands are you referring to knee sleeves that you commonly see pros wearing?

That is what I was referring to when I said knee wraps.