What's Making My Knee Hurt???

[[old] seat5]

For the last few weeks I've had a nagging sort of ache on the back of one knee towards the outside. Then developed a sort of amost click in the tendon? muscle? whatever that hauls you up the slide kind of on the inside of the same knee. <br /><br />It started to bother after a whole bunch of 20 spm 30 min pieces and then got worse when I put my foot plates down a notch. But also during the same month I did a few unrestricted (not 10mps, just whatever I needed to do to get the time I wanted) pieces and actually used the straps, which is also a departure. Usually I row 10MPS without straps. It doesn't hurt on the drive, just as I inch up to the catch. And it's ok if I only do half slide. <br /><br />Question: Would this be a symptom of over compressing, using straps when I'm not used to them, or the 20 spm fast paced stuff? Because what feels like half slide to me--and when my elbows are at my knees coming up the rail--if I look at my reflection in the window next to me, is just shy of vertical. It's hard to judge the angle, though. I've never thought I was over compressing before. Also, my heels are staying pretty much down in the footplates throughout the stroke.<br /><br />

[[old] Xeno]

<!--QuoteBegin-seat5+Feb 2 2006, 07:25 PM--><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><div class='genmed'><b>QUOTE(seat5 @ Feb 2 2006, 07:25 PM)</b></div></td></tr><tr><td class='quote'><!--QuoteEBegin-->For the last few weeks I've had a nagging sort of ache on the back of one knee towards the outside. Then developed a sort of amost click in the tendon? muscle? whatever that hauls you up the slide kind of on the inside of the same knee. <br /><br />It started to bother after a whole bunch of 20 spm 30 min pieces and then got worse when I put my foot plates down a notch. But also during the same month I did a few unrestricted (not 10mps, just whatever I needed to do to get the time I wanted) pieces and actually used the straps, which is also a departure.  Usually I row 10MPS without straps.  It doesn't hurt on the drive, just as I inch up to the catch. And  it's ok if I only do half slide.  <br /><br />Question:  Would this be a symptom of over compressing, using straps when I'm not used to them, or the 20 spm fast paced stuff?  Because what feels like half slide to me--and when my elbows are at my knees coming up the rail--if I look at my reflection in the window next to me, is just shy of vertical.  It's hard to judge the angle, though.  I've never thought I was over compressing before.  Also, my heels are staying pretty much down in the footplates throughout the stroke. <br /> </td></tr></table><br />Hi Carla<br />I wished you put a picture up of yourself in the different positions. From what I have read you believe that the knee issue comes from rowing only, right? <br />XENO

[[old] PaulS]

Carla,<br /><br />You had some video previously, perhaps it's time for that under the suspected circumstances. (Low rate, high power, strapped)<br /><br />As a guess, I'd be going with hyperextension of the knee at the finish, "bouncy knees", when doing the type of exercise above. At moderate rates and paces, it is much easier to come to a "straight leg" finish, and not beyond, especially with a lot of strapless rowing to ensure a solid finish that would keep you from flying off the back of the Erg. It may be that the higher force being generated during the low Rate exercises creates more momentum than you are able to bring to a stop with current upper body strength, the balance being taken by the straps pulling on your legs.

[[old] seat5]

Thanks, Paul & Xeno. I couldn't have hoped for responses from more qualified forum members!<br /><br />What you're saying about hyperextension sounds sensible. I don't know if I want to do any low rate hard pulling right now for a video because it hurts! But I can at least have someone take some photos at catch and finish etc. that might be useful. I am sure this is totally rowing related because I don't really do anything else but walk around and it feels fine doing that.<br /><br /> I would think that after almost 2 weeks of rowing one legged or at 1/2 and 3/4 slide this should be cleared up, though. Maybe rowing just right legged for a while will teach my lazy right leg to pull its weight for a change while the left one heals.

[[old] Jim Barry]

Carla, <br /><br />It <b>could</b> be a tight ITB. This runs out the outside of your leg and when it gets tight it rubs the knee on the outside and causes pain. <br /><br />For some detail see:<br /><br /><a href='http://www.sportsinjurybulletin.com/arc ... ction.html' target='_blank'>http://www.sportsinjurybulletin.com/arc ... tml</a><br /><br />Good luck getting it sorted<br /><br />