Bad Knees? Any Hope?

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  Mar 03, 2008 1:53 PM GMT

  I have really bad knees. I played baseball when I was a kid and up through high school, and with all jokes aside I was a catcher. Partly from that and partly from my genes, I have horrible knees now. I have a few things working against me. My muscled developed incorrectly and was pulling my knee cap slightly to the side which wore away some of the cartilage. Also I have spurs in both knees. The pain is not really bad on the day to day basis like it used to be. I went to physical therapy and retrained my muscles to work properly. I have more pain now from usage.
  
  Ok so my point here is that I really want to run a marathon. Its probably a stupid goal, but I see completing a marathon as such a true test of physical fitness. Do you think there is any hope for me? Is there anything I can do to try to maximize my goals while minimizing the negative affects and pain?
  

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  Mar 03, 2008 4:49 PM GMT

  I'd likely suggest that you find another test of true fitness, however...
  If you're insistent upon running a marathon then I suggest you look into a program called ChiRunning. It is a method that teaches you how to minimize the impact of running while economizing effort. I didn't check where you live, but ChiRunning clinics are held all over the country. The website is www.chirunning.com. I've read the book and find the principles (posture, leg stride, etc.) to be right on. The technique is a bit difficult to learn at first, but I was surprised at how fast I moved and how little energy I expended once I picked it up. I also didn't feel any pain in my knees or low back from the impact.
  I hope this helps.

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  Mar 03, 2008 5:10 PM GMT

  I Just tore my ACL, MCL and my lateral meniscus about 10 months ago and i am a pole vaulter. as of now i am vaulting without any thing to help support it and doing better than i was when i had good knees
  My Point is that if you use all that frustration to drive you towards your goal, you can do more than you ever thought you could. there are many protective braces that you can wear to reduce the impact to your knees. i dont know of any for spurs but i guess Ibuprofen can work for that.
  Flexibility is also a HUGE thing. if you gain flexibility in those knees, they should naturally even out.
  Good luck!

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  Mar 03, 2008 10:10 PM GMT

  I've sustained knee injuries from sports and a car accident, and it took time and therapy to recover from them. When I do cardio, I usually use the exercise bike or elliptical machine since they're lower impact on my knees. And I use a knee brace when I play racquetball. It also helps that my house is single story, although I always take the stairs at work.
  
  Good luck on your road to recovery.

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  May 27, 2008 7:11 PM GMT

  The biggest thing that will prevent you is the spurs. They will continue to cause pain til filed off/removed. Its essentially a quick procedure as well. Knee braces/supports and exercise will get you ready for a marathon.
  
  I have horrible knees, suppose to be replaced but Im suffering for another decade first to limit the possibility of needing them replaced a second time. The last run I did I limited my cardio to non-impact (swimming, elliptical, etc). During the run I wore knee braces/supports. Afterwards a few aleeve, soaked in the tub, rested a couple days and good as new, well as good as can be.

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  Jul 23, 2008 9:12 PM GMT

  danielryan saidI have really bad knees. I played baseball when I was a kid and up through high school, and with all jokes aside I was a catcher. Partly from that and partly from my genes, I have horrible knees now. I have a few things working against me. My muscled developed incorrectly and was pulling my knee cap slightly to the side which wore away some of the cartilage. Also I have spurs in both knees. The pain is not really bad on the day to day basis like it used to be. I went to physical therapy and retrained my muscles to work properly. I have more pain now from usage.
  
  Ok so my point here is that I really want to run a marathon. Its probably a stupid goal, but I see completing a marathon as such a true test of physical fitness. Do you think there is any hope for me? Is there anything I can do to try to maximize my goals while minimizing the negative affects and pain?
  

  
  Sorry dude, but you got to give up running. Same thing happened to me. I cycle now.
  Good luck.

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  Jul 24, 2008 5:50 AM GMT

  My muscled developed incorrectly and was pulling my knee cap slightly to the side which wore away some of the cartilage.
  
  
  Exactly the same the happened to me when I was a child and I didn't think to get it sorted out until Nov 07. I now have what my surgeon calls an arthritic kneecap which will need to be replaced when I'm older.
  
  But, they operated and it's now much better than previously. However, no running and no playing football and definitely no leg crunches.
  
  My advice would be to let go of the marathon dream and be grateful that you have full use of your knees. They will thank you in a few years time.

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  Jul 26, 2008 6:23 AM GMT

  SDtrainer said I suggest you look into a program called ChiRunning.

  Interesting, I was going to recommend taking tai chi to strengthen the joints.

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