Working Around Knee Problems

I have problems with my knees which radically restrict the amount of lower-body exercise I can do. I am currently working on resolving the issues with my doctor, but in the meantime, I can't simply skimp on training! Regarding the nature of my knee issues: I have no idea. I have an X-ray scheduled in two weeks which will hopefully shed some light on what the problem is or isn't.

I can't squat, deadlift, or run - even intense walking is problematic sometimes. Low-to-medium intensity cycling is OK, but I can't do very intense intervals. 

One doable exercise I have found is the straight leg deadlift, but other than that, I'm lost as to lower body solutions.

Basically, I'm looking for help in devising a training program that can work around my knees. My current main focus is fat loss. Any input is greatly appreciated! 

My husband has had problems with his left knee for many years. He injured it playing football, a bad tackle means he had to have pins put in to hold things together. He still gets fluid building up and has fragments of bone still there.

There isn't much he can do in the way of exercise but loves swimming, which helps him to maintain his fitness and doesn't put any pressure on his knee joint. He also walks daily for about 30 minutes. He has cycled but finds this can cause a strain and be painful.

So I would say that swimming is a brill way to maintain training whilst you wait for your results. I hope everything works out for you.  

Hey, thanks for the reply - there are two slight problems with swimming, though.

#1 - It isn't at all practical where I live, unless I went swimming in a polluted dangerous river.

#2 - Intense swimming hurts my knee! Or at least it did a couple months ago.

Cycling is OK for me, and as long as I'm not sprinting on the bike, I can go for miles... The first and last long-distance trip I did was 20+ miles, and then my brand new bike broke down. Now I have a newer, better one, which I have yet to test-drive.

I've got knee problems also (chondromalacia), and although all is well at the moment after physical therapy, I went through several weeks of having to find workarounds for lower body exercises. Other than the straight leg deadlifts you mention, there isn't much in terms of lifting.

 However, while I was jumping through all the medical hoops I needed to while waiting to finally get into PT, I did a lot of research and put together a series of exercises specifically targeted to leg and kneestrengthening - or at least maintaining muscle and strength during recovery.

I found this book to be helpful: Heal Your Knees. Also search through the Injuries and Rehab forum at jpfitness - there's lots of information there. Also re: swimming. I have read that the breaststroke can aggravate certain types of knee injuries (not that swimming in that river sounds attractive).

Edit: fixed the links.

I have knee problems too.  I strongly recommend eliptical trainers; they are low impact and you can get a great cardio workout that way.  Upper-body and core-muscle exercises are great ways to build muscle, which burns fat.  Too bad about the swimming.

Good luck.  And definitely be careful with your knees until your doctor figures out what's wrong.

Until you talk to your doctor, I would suggest being very cautious with your knees.  Working out with an injury can force your body to compensate and build up the wrong muscles for support of the injury.  Then you'll have to undo all that later (I speak from experience).

On cycling: it can be a really great workout for those with knee problems.  You just need to keep a few things in mind. 

1. Make sure your seat height and position are correct, so that you're not putting excess strain on your knees.  A tech at a bike shop can probably help you with these adjustments (it's easier for someone else to see if your position is correct, than it is to see yourself).

2. Be sure you're using the correct gears.  You say you start to feel pain in more intense intervals.  Try dropping down a few gears and pedaling faster, rather than putting more force down.  It WILL work your muscles, you WILL feel the burn, and you will (hopefully) experience less pain.  If it still hurts, it may be due to muscle fatigue, rather than the injury itself, and just means you need to build up the supporting muscles in a gentler way.

Original Post by ankow:

I have problems with my knees which radically restrict the amount of lower-body exercise I can do. I am currently working on resolving the issues with my doctor, but in the meantime, I can't simply skimp on training! Regarding the nature of my knee issues: I have no idea. I have an X-ray scheduled in two weeks which will hopefully shed some light on what the problem is or isn't.

I can't squat, deadlift, or run - even intense walking is problematic sometimes. Low-to-medium intensity cycling is OK, but I can't do very intense intervals. 

One doable exercise I have found is the straight leg deadlift, but other than that, I'm lost as to lower body solutions.

Basically, I'm looking for help in devising a training program that can work around my knees. My current main focus is fat loss. Any input is greatly appreciated! 

 Is your knee swollen? Have you fallen and/or injured it recently? Honestly, I would go on the side of the fence that caution is on.  Wait it out for two weeks and see what the results of the xray is. Wonder why your dr scheduled a xray instead of an mri? Anyway...be safe instead of sorry.