Knock-knees=no running?

My chiropractor told me that I have knock knees and shouldn't run because of the damage on my knees in the long run.  I'm also about 30 pounds overweight.  Would it make a difference if I lost weight?  

I'm not a doctor, so I don't want you to take this as fact or anything. *w*

I'm very knocked-kneed and overweight and I run just fine. It may be because I'm young (I'm afraid I don't know your age), but my knees have never hurt, and I run for 3-6 minutes at a time for 60 minutes.

I've heard a lot of people say that you shouldn't run overweight, for joint problems and such, but I've yet to hear about the knock kneed person. I think it just depends on how you feel. Some knees are stronger than others, right? Go on a light jog and see how your knees feel. If they hurt or ache, stop and ask a doctor about it. If your knees already hurt, don't try it at all. Walking is just as good as running at the right pace (I think).

Best of luck to you. <3

Original Post by victoria07:

My chiropractor told me that I have knock knees and shouldn't run because of the damage on my knees in the long run.  I'm also about 30 pounds overweight.  Would it make a difference if I lost weight?  

I don't know anything about knock-knees... But I do know that deep water pool running will strengthen the muscles used in running without the impact. It's an amazing cross-training exercise for runners... especially injured ones

I don't know anything about knock-knees, but I do know a lot about running and running overweight. 

If there's one thing I've learned... long walks at a fast pace (2-4 miles)... "power walking" if you will... have been WAY more effective for me getting in shape/losing weight.  And MUCH MUCH MUCH better on your joints.

Running isn't good for anyone's joints... overweight or not.

Running over at least short distances (sprint to 5K) is completely safe for most people who aren't significantly overweight - provided you're following a sane training plan that don't overload untrained muscles and do appropriate running-specific strength training to prevent and/or correct muscle imbalances that frequently occur as a side effect of any single form of exercise.

 Which means starting with a run/walk program like Couch25K or our own Learn2Run(again) and easing into it, plus adding in some cross-training from some of the running-specific strength programs I've listed under "Running" in the FAQ.

 Now, if you've got a fairly exctreme Q-angle (the angle beteen your hip joint and knee joint) long distance running is probably not for you as the force vector on your hip joint will mess you up but that's not a knee issue.

 And of course, if you're more than 50-70lbs overweight running has a statistically unacceptably high injury rate and chance of developing side effects like exercise-induced arthritis and bone spurs. It's not automatic that you'll develop problems, but the odds are very much against you so I generally recommend that when you're over that line you stick to walking, swimming, biking and lifting weights until your diet has brought you down to a body weight your joints and tendons can handle. This has the added advantage that you're generally much more likely to have identified and corrected strength imbalances and movement dysfunctions before you start running, so you'll be a much better and smoother runner once you do start - if you don't decide to stick with swimming as your sport of choice.

I'm pretty severely knock-kneed, and I've never been told that I should avoid any activity.  That being said, I've always been afraid that I look funny when I run, so I run really early in the morning before anyone gets to the park .  Lots of people say that walking is better for you, and I am more than happy to accept that and skip the running!