Fieldcraft So I went to the doc today...

[shadow_sniper]

I have been running 6.5 miles every other day and 2.5 miles on the odd days and resting on the week ends. My knees started hurting the last few week but nothing to bad so I just took it easy. not running as hard. but 2 days ago I went running and only made it about a mile before I could barly walk because my knees hurt so bad. So today the Doc said NO more running. none at all.

and I have start phyical thearpy soon. so what can I do to keep my carddo vascular up for a month or 2 till I can run again?

 

[UKDslayer]

Re: So I went to the doc today...

Are you allowed to swim?

 

[jasonk]

Re: So I went to the doc today...

SWIM!!

I was running 6 miles with no issues....tried swimming and 5 minutes into it I was dead.

Swam 1 whole mile one day and could barely walk to the locker room after laying beside the pool for a while. I have terrible form, but swimming is a hell of a workout.

 

[Rhys]

Re: So I went to the doc today...

cycling worked for me after having knee surgery. You could probably do basicaly any non impact.

 

[deadly0311]

Re: So I went to the doc today...

definitely get in the pool. You will find that it will kick your ass for a while, its a legit full body workout

 

[Guest]

Re: So I went to the doc today...

Get a road bike and a pool.

 

[pazzo]

Re: So I went to the doc today...

Cycle and Swim. There is no better.

 

[Cinch]

Re: So I went to the doc today...

Eliptical. You can set them up to flat kick your ass! They are very joint friendly.

 

[Strickland]

Re: So I went to the doc today...

I'm sort of in a similar boat. doc said my meniscus (sp?) was not so well right now and told me to lay off the impact stuff, i.e. running. Elliptical, stair climbing, bikes...all that is ok as it is non impact. You can burn through 1k calories / hour on an elliptical pretty easily.

 

[Hateca]

Re: So I went to the doc today...

SWIM!!! You'll never go back to running. Better for your back and knees, ask me how I know.

 

[beenjammin]

Re: So I went to the doc today...

same thing happenned to me.. Turned out it was my shoes of all things. I aways wear boots. I had recenty purchased some new ones from walmart of all places with out very goods insoles. Wearing them all day standing , then trying to run even in tennis shoes in the evening made my knees hurt to the point, i was taking meds and using a topical analgesic cream. When I decided to not wear the boots for a while, it went away. I later put some nice gel insoles in all my shoes regardless fo were I get them from. Have not had an issue since.

Im no foot MD. but its a thought.

 

[flyboy]

Re: So I went to the doc today...

Fecking!!!, no realy swiming will kick your ass. Great workout.

 

[Onemoretime]

Re: So I went to the doc today...

SWIM... I swim 3-4 miles a week in the ocean. I love it and will hate it if I can't go. I'm going tomorrow morning.

Meet me in La Jolla Cove, California and we'll swim a mile!

 

[pazzo]

Re: So I went to the doc today...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Cinch</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Eliptical. You can set them up to flat kick your ass! They are very joint friendly. </div></div>

Yea, but boring as hell.

 

[rrflyer]

Re: So I went to the doc today...

swimming and biking are great. I've goot foot surgery in three weeks to repair some tendons and I'll be buying a kayak.

Absolutely one of the harder cardio workouts I've tried. Works upper and lower body but very low impact. Rowing machines are great too if you dont live near the water.


That and sexing up the ole lady. Its great for the abs.

 

[96C]

Re: So I went to the doc today...

you can use the 'egg beater' style arm spinner like a bike for your arms - standing up. that'll keep you breathing heavy. other than that definately get in the Pool.

smash the glucosamine to help rebuild the damaged joints also.

give it time, i had degredation of the petallas on both knees for a while, a ciouple quick years later 100%

NO IMPACT training is key.

 

[oughtsix]

Re: So I went to the doc today...

+1 on the swimming. I can run 5 miles without a problem, but after 10 honest minutes in the pool I'm done. It's good stuff. Better than an elliptical or stationary bike in my mind. I hate stuff that doesnt move. gets very boring quick.

 

[Jimmy2Times]

Re: So I went to the doc today...

I suggest you take up powerlifting. I was leg pressing 705 for reps yesterday, that will work wonders for your knees.

Seriously though, knee problems suck. I had severe knee problems since childhood, misdiagnosed by 3 different dr's and never solved. Then I found a great knee Dr up here in New England (he does a lot of work on the knees of the Patriots and Bruins players up here) and he acurately diagnosed and fixed my knees. They have never felt better. I am freeweight squatting 350 and leg pressing 700+ thanks to him. Before seeing him my squatting days were over.

I would recommend finding a knee Dr with a really good reputation and getting a second opinion, it can't hurt.

Good luck.

 

[brutus1776]

Re: So I went to the doc today...

power lifters doing leg presses???? thought us power guys always say....'leg presses are for people who cant squat!!!' lol

as for cardio, non impact, swimming the various elliptical machines, etc at the gym are all good.
might want to consider sled dragging... will definitely condition you and get your heart rate up. its only as much impact as walking... something to consider

 

[Doc Holiday13]

Re: So I went to the doc today...

Swimming or road bicycle.

I used to be a runner, pretty fast for someone who didn't compete either 4:50 minute miles average over 5 miles, stopped running and got out of shape. tried running again and it just sucked cuz I was sucking so much wind. I bike about 20 miles a week now, my cardio is back up and I hate running now

 

[Brians708]

Re: So I went to the doc today...

Stationary cycle, keep your heart rate at 130-150...

 

[fx77]

Re: So I went to the doc today...

If you really miss running...
Put on a life vest and go to deep water (over your head)in the pool and run in place. Mimics running and U get a non impact cardio workout.

 

[desertrat1979]

Re: So I went to the doc today...

I had stress fractures in my left knee in the academy I went through. I was told no running. I was also wearing some pretty worn sneakers. But now if I push myself on a run, I feel it for a few days in one spot on that knee. I am amazed at the effect that shoes have now and I am only 30. I was issued boots when I jumped over to state. They are the Rocky Paratrooper boots, complete shit. I would be in serious, off my feet for the day, pain. Some quality insoles solved that. Got some Danner Desert boot, awesome boots.
I did a lot of eliptical when I was hurting from running. You work up a sweat, and and its less impact on you joints and back.

 

[desertrat1979]

Re: So I went to the doc today...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DocHoliday13</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Swimming or road bicycle.

I used to be a runner, pretty fast for someone who didn't compete either 4:50 minute miles average over 5 miles, stopped running and got out of shape. tried running again and it just sucked cuz I was sucking so much wind. I bike about 20 miles a week now, my cardio is back up and I hate running now</div></div>
+1 here. I was much better 8 years ago.

 

[popeyecop]

Re: So I went to the doc today...

Ride the bike. When i started running again i started walking then riding then running, just buliding myself up a little at a time. Two months ago it took me almost 17:00 to run 1.5 mile now im down to 14:00 1.5m pluse i've lost about 10 lbs. also try to find a track with a rubber surface, it helps with the shock.
tred mill works wonders too...

 

[smokshwn]

Re: So I went to the doc today...

Couple of ideas for you.

+1 on the swimming.

You can also train using a heartrate monitor. You will be able to find several activities which increase your heartrate that are far less abusive to your joints.

Steady state cardio training (running for miles on end) is relatively low return for the effort. It also puts a relatively high level of undue stress on the joints (knees, hips, back). We all tend to gravitate toward steady state running because that is what a lot of us got exposed to in initial training environments (armed forces, cop college, fire academy etc.)

You can improve and maintain your cardio conditioning much more effectively (far fewer injuries and less time) with High Intensity Interval Training. Hear are a couple of articles but you can do a search and find quite a bit of info.

http://www.tmuscle.com/free_online_artic...rdio_roundtable

http://www.tmuscle.com/free_online_artic...undtable_part_2

http://www.tmuscle.com/free_online_artic...burning_success

 

[McCrazy]

Re: So I went to the doc today...

I have been down this road before myself. When I was younger I managed to blow out my knees twice (two separate occasions; once on each side) from running too far too fast on shoes that were worn out. I didn't make much as a private so I was too cheap to replace them.

Rest your knees for a month or so while they heal, dependent of course on how bad you hurt them already. Keep your cardio ability up by bicycling or swimming like suggested. Once your knees feel better start to ease back into running.

Make sure you replace your shoes with a new quality set. More than likely with the amount of mileage you were putting on them they wore out rather quickly and you were basically running with no cushioning on hard surfaces which punishes cartilage rather harshly. Press on the insole of your old shoes with your fingers and see how much cushioning is left compared to a new pair. Personally I prefer Asics and New Balances. I have had Nikes blow out their stupid air bladders within a couple weeks so I now stay away from them.

Another thing I found that helped a lot was to strengthen the leg muscles that attach to your knees and keep things working properly. Leg extensions, leg curls, leg presses, and squats were the most beneficial. Low weight and higher reps to build up stamina rather than all-out strength is what you want.

 

[chad3]

Re: So I went to the doc today...

Aqua Jog. Looks weird, but works for a injury time out. Some of the best in the world will use it to keep cardio and form without the impact during injury times.
Chad

 

[Impact]

Re: So I went to the doc today...

another +1 for new shoes. I had splint shins ,runner's knee issues (all running related issues)..they all boiled down to shoes being worn out. If you run seriously ( I run approx 24 to 26 miles a week), you have to change shoes every 4 months.


I had good luck with Asics and Mizuno running shoes, don't be cheap with them.
I hated Nike.

 

[Impact]

Re: So I went to the doc today...

I also recommend Crossfit. You will thank me

 

[Jayko]

Re: So I went to the doc today...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: chad3</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Aqua Jog. Looks weird, but works for a injury time out. Some of the best in the world will use it to keep cardio and form without the impact during injury times.
Chad </div></div>
This is probably the best substitute possible. I tried all sorts of cross training and this is the only one that help maintained my cardio. I also enjoyed doing intervals in the water, since the water provides greater resistance you need to increase your turnover so they aren't use to a very slow cadence.

 

[hunter223]

Re: So I went to the doc today...

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Cinch</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Eliptical. You can set them up to flat kick your ass! They are very joint friendly. </div></div>

Yeah, I do that and stair machines. I had my ACL completely replaced along with both meniscus replaced, and scar tissue cleaned off my PCL so you could say after that surgery I was looking for a workout that was deffinitely low impact. Also, try some boxing and maybe go to a MMA gym. you can do ground stuff that won't kill your knees and get an unbelievable aerobic workout.