Guest guest Posted December 15, 2007 Report Share Posted December 15, 2007 > > I read that Squat is beneficial for the knees. But I have some slight > anoyances. Like pinches when I am at rest. Mostly on my left knee, but > this is an old injury, very slight tear of miniscus. But I start to have > similar symptoms on the right knee too. > > Should I refrain and go to just bellow paralel? Or it does not matter to go > ATG? > > I practice the Squat with relatively good form for about 7 months. I go ATG > for the last 3-4 months. My 5RM is about 95-100 kgrs. I weight 82 kgrs. > > ATG, but with light weights: > > > About parallel, with heavier weights. I corrected my form later: > > **** I tore my lateral meniscus in March. After about 3 weeks after the injury occured I reluctantly paid a visit to the sports medic and he confirmed my suspicion i.e., a torn lateral meniscus. He suggested that surgery was the only option. Pain in the posterior aspect of the knee was only apparent during deep squatting ( " maximal " knee flexion movements). Activities such as walking, running, partial squatting, turning or twisting caused no pain at all. My " treatment " involved – (Note: I am grateful to Loren Chiu, Casler, Ken Jakalski for their insights): Nutrition: High dose antioxidants / minerals 2 grams Glucosamine Sulphate / Chondroitin sulfate 4-5 grams MSM -methyl-sulphonyl methane EFA's Pineapples and papayas on an empty stomach - the enzymes in these fruits can be effective for maintaining and possibly increasing cartilage and meniscal health. Rehab: Traction work (to facilitate blood flow) Cycling (20-30 mins) Progression to full range squatting (ATG) - progressing to heavier loading - the compression and decompression work alternated. I altered my stance tried wider and narrower stances or toes " in/out " variations. My knee never locked during any of the movements. In addition I would work through the pain at times. I avoided " isolated " type exercises. Use of " wrapping " and supports. Ice the knee after training. I wore compression tights most of the day and sleeping in them as they may help to facilitate blood flow. Electrical muscle stimulation – both micro and macrocurrent. I worked a lot on my form, which improved substantially during this period as I went " back to basics " . Turns out I never needed surgery and the meniscus is healed? Note I'm not a physiotherapist or a medic. Hope the latter helps Carruthers Wakefield, UK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 16, 2007 Report Share Posted December 16, 2007 > > > Should I refrain and go to just bellow paralel? Or it does not matter to go > ATG? > You must be the judge of your own pain free range of motion. However in my own experience as a former knee pain sufferer as well as working with clients, full depth squats are usually better tolerated than partial squats in trainees with knee pain. In fact partial squats often seem to *cause* or aggravate knee pain. With careful loading, attention to proper form, rehab of weak muscles or poor movement patterns if required, and if necessary, gentle work on performing the motion to the appropriate range, I have not found full depth squats to cause problems in most cases of dodgy knees. Indeed, I might guess that overloading and poor form with a restricted range are probably the cause of many squat-related knee pain cases. One data point in Toronto, ON Krista -Dixon kristascottdixon@... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 16, 2007 Report Share Posted December 16, 2007 This is good information and I would like to hear more about this. My twelve year old daughter has a torn meniscus and they are suggesting she needs surgery as well. Her knee will lock up on her when she is sitting on the floor or during deep knee bending activities, but this hasn't happened for over 6 months now. I am hoping to avoid surgery for the obvious reason and any information anyone can share would be extremely helpful. Thanks, Bob Forney Porterville Ca Youronlinefitness.com ============ To: Supertraining@...: Carruthersjam@...: Sat, 15 Dec 2007 19:33:02 +0000Subject: Re: ATG Squat and knees >> I read that Squat is beneficial for the knees. But I have some slight > anoyances. Like pinches when I am at rest. Mostly on my left knee, but > this is an old injury, very slight tear of miniscus. But I start to have > similar symptoms on the right knee too.> > Should I refrain and go to just bellow paralel? Or it does not matter to go > ATG?> > I practice the Squat with relatively good form for about 7 months. I go ATG > for the last 3-4 months. My 5RM is about 95-100 kgrs. I weight 82 kgrs.> > ATG, but with light weights:> > About parallel, with heavier weights. I corrected my form later:> ****I tore my lateral meniscus in March. After about 3 weeks after the injury occured I reluctantly paid a visit to the sports medic and he confirmed my suspicion i.e., a torn lateral meniscus. He suggested that surgery was the only option. Pain in the posterior aspect of the knee was only apparent during deep squatting ( " maximal " knee flexion movements). Activities such as walking, running, partial squatting, turning or twisting caused no pain at all. My " treatment " involved – (Note: I am grateful to Loren Chiu, Casler, Ken Jakalski for their insights):Nutrition: High dose antioxidants / minerals 2 grams Glucosamine Sulphate / Chondroitin sulfate 4-5 grams MSM -methyl-sulphonyl methaneEFA's Pineapples and papayas on an empty stomach - the enzymes in these fruits can be effective for maintaining and possibly increasing cartilage and meniscal health.Rehab:Traction work (to facilitate blood flow) Cycling (20-30 mins)Progression to full range squatting (ATG) - progressing to heavier loading - the compression and decompression work alternated. I altered my stance tried wider and narrower stances or toes " in/out " variations. My knee never locked during any of the movements. In addition I would work through the pain at times. I avoided " isolated " type exercises.Use of " wrapping " and supports.Ice the knee after training.I wore compression tights most of the day and sleeping in them as they may help to facilitate blood flow. Electrical muscle stimulation – both micro and macrocurrent.I worked a lot on my form, which improved substantially during this period as I went " back to basics " . Turns out I never needed surgery and the meniscus is healed? Note I'm not a physiotherapist or a medic.Hope the latter helps CarruthersWakefield, UK =========== Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 16, 2007 Report Share Posted December 16, 2007 My daughter injured her knee two years ago. The surgeon recommended surgery because the tear cut off blood supply to the torn flap of cartilage. He said that sometimes a torn meniscus will heal in rare instances, but that my daughter's would not. We went back for a follow-up appointment two weeks later. My daughter was completely without pain. His opinion was that the torn flap had returned to it's original position, at least temporarily. The doctor gave her a full release saying, " You'll be back. " My daughter completed her volleyball season with the knee becoming tender the last couple of weeks. She tried out for basketball, made the team, but was in too much discomfort to play in any games. The doctor was right. We went back for immediate surgery. Possibly your daughter's tear has healed or is healing. Maybe her doctor could confirm that her tear is one that could heal. Good luck. Skip Dallen Covina, CA USA Re: ATG Squat and knees This is good information and I would like to hear more about this. My twelve year old daughter has a torn meniscus and they are suggesting she needs surgery as well. Her knee will lock up on her when she is sitting on the floor or during deep knee bending activities, but this hasn't happened for over 6 months now. I am hoping to avoid surgery for the obvious reason and any information anyone can share would be extremely helpful. Thanks, Bob Forney Porterville Ca Youronlinefitness.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 19, 2007 Report Share Posted December 19, 2007 Bob, I have a problem with condromalacia. I recall reading an article (sorry, I can't retrieve it) that said, basically, that if you have problems with your knees, don't squat ATG. That works for me. When I go ATG, my knees hurt. When I go a little past parallel, I don't have any problem. Pitruzzello, Ph.D. Chicago, IL > I read that Squat is beneficial for the knees. But I have some slight > anoyances. Like pinches when I am at rest. Mostly on my left knee, but > this is an old injury, very slight tear of miniscus. But I start to have > similar symptoms on the right knee too. > > Should I refrain and go to just bellow paralel? Or it does not matter to > go > ATG? > > I practice the Squat with relatively good form for about 7 months. I go > ATG > for the last 3-4 months. My 5RM is about 95-100 kgrs. I weight 82 kgrs. > > ATG, but with light weights: > > > About parallel, with heavier weights. I corrected my form later: > > > Thanks > Bob Pitatzidis > Thessaloniki, Greece > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.