Arthritic knees.

[Andrew Shuck]

Hi all, i've recently had results of MRI scan of L R Knees.
My Doc informs me i have Patellofemoral degeneration and Chodromalacia of both knees.
His advice was to keep rowing as i don't get any pain.
Anyone else got nuisance knees.

[Dangerscouse]

My knees are my weakness. I always have issues with them but nothing has been formally diagnosed.

[Ollie Russell]

Hi all, i've recently had results of MRI scan of L R Knees.
My Doc informs me i have Patellofemoral degeneration and Chodromalacia of both knees.
His advice was to keep rowing as i don't get any pain.
Anyone else got nuisance knees.

Hi Andrew, my knee pain started last year in both knees when i started a new health kick. I never went to the doctors but im pretty sure (after some in depth research) i narrowed it down to tendonitis/over use. Im not new to training, been a gym goer since i was 14 but after 4 or so years being pretty innactive i was over 400lbs, this last year i have trained like a man possessed and have got the weight down to around 260lb.

Training with the same intensity now, that i used to when i was younger has got me results but it has took its toll on my body for sure. As i say, carrying that extra weight whilst training the way i have has affected my joints. 2 to 3 hours a day, 6 days a week for over a year.

I followed some patella tendonitis rehab programme with great success and it was 95% better. The last week or 2 i have increased my rowing volume to train for a 10k and my knee issues have surfaced again, hoping my body can adjust and the pain fades again.

I also have a shoulder issue which boils down to the same problem, tendonitis/over use. I have tried a rehab routine for that too, with some pretty good success.

I understand arthritis is more chronic than my issue so im not so sure what may help you, but i do hope you can stay pain free and can continue to row for many more years.

[lindsayh]

His advice was to keep rowing as i don't get any pain.
Anyone else got nuisance knees.

Hi Andrew. I have moderate to severe Osteoarthritis both knees though one is more painful than the other and I can't run or even walk long distances without discomfort. Diagnosed about 4/5 years ago and ongoing. I spent a bit of time talking to both surgeon and sports orthopods, physio and exercise physiologist. All have said that it is fine to go your hardest. I didn't change my training much at all - around 2 million meters a year and still race etc. I think It is interesting that my erg times are still pretty good and it seems not affected a lot by the OA although top end power is lower and my 500m has been affected more than the others I think - maybe because it stops the heavy weights.
The greatest risk factors are genetic, weight and life style. I haven't had any knee injuries. Mine are worst after a day at work - I stand up all day and sleeping position is a nuisance. One indication for surgery is if it is keeping you awake at night for three months.
All the advice is to delay replacement for as long as possible and 70+ is best. Maintaining muscle mass especially in the quads is very good for both delay and post op recovery which is why rowing is so good. They are still improving the technique and prosthesis and bespoke 3D printed titanium is now possible and will be wide spread soon I suspect.
Arthroscopy has been shown to have no benefit and there is no science to show that neutraceutical supplements and the like have any benefit either.
The American Orthopedic Association has a good information article on their site based on proper evidence based medicine. I have tried an intra articular hyaluran injection and also one corticosteroid to no effect. NSAIDS do help and I have them on board with top up paracetamol.
(Sorry to go on)

[hobbit]

Hi all, i've recently had results of MRI scan of L R Knees.
My Doc informs me i have Patellofemoral degeneration and Chodromalacia of both knees.
His advice was to keep rowing as i don't get any pain.
Anyone else got nuisance knees.

I've had a lot of this in the past, due to being bandy legged, IMHO, and running a lot (40mi/week) (and flat out). Now it has gone away to be replaced by other injuries that prevent me from running. I don't find that erging does my knees any harm at all, which is a blessing. I do some specific VMO (muscle above the inner knee) exercises, but I don't know if they help.

[Andrew Shuck]

@ Ollie, Lindsay and Hobbit thanks for you personal comments..
@ Stu, i totally agree i can find a new ache almost daily.

My knees have bee a pain since before erging..I 've had lateral release of tendons on right knee twice..both pre erg.

[Myopic Squirrel]

Andrew, everybody (body) is different, but have been suffering from chondromalacia on both knees since my teens. The good news (for me) was that it didn't interfere w/ rowing (high school, club, Masters competition and the erg the last couple of years). Was also able, thanks to U. of Penn Sports medicine, to play squash & later rugby for a couple of years using styrofoam braces fitted to my kneecaps and held in place with compression sleeves. So hopefully your only concern will be the patella degeneration. Best of luck!

[Erik A]

My knees are my weakness. I always have issues with them but nothing has been formally diagnosed.

my knees are also my downfall i have had cartilidge cleaned up on one knee and the other is looking like it will need to be done soon as well. i have a tendancy to have my knee collapse (for want of a better term) i will be walking and all of a sudden my knee collapses and i nearly fall over. or the other side of it is i will be kneeling and my knee locks out so i cant straighten it without some serious massaging. when i did my short Crossfit stint the coach showed me some different stretching which really helped my knees a lot.
as to rowing i have had no issues with my knees while on the Erg at all.
i actually put my knee issues down to a very hard period of my life when i was in the services.... carrying heavy packs for long distances over rough terrain at the time it was all good fun but paying for it now