Preventing knee problems

malictus · Trick Member Joined: 26 May 2002 Location: Bloomington, IN

I've been playing for a little over 2 years, and have never had any muscle-related problems at all (other than occasional sore ankles). But lately, my right knee has been bothering me a bit. Not when I'm actually playing DDR at all, but when I am walking up and down steps, there are sometimes sharp pains in that knee.

I have a feeling the pains are DDR-related, but I'm not sure what I should do to prevent anything more serious. I know I stomp too much, so I'm sure getting rid of that habit would help. Does anyone wear some sort of knee brace when you play, or anything like that? Are they effective?

Oh, and yes I'm 34 years old and a Heavy Doubles player. No jokes about me being too old

Slowpoke · Trick Member Joined: 28 Oct 2003

I'm in no position to joke about age

Does the pain feel like it's inside the knee, rather than on the outside or inside? If so, it could be a cartilage problem, which is almost certainly caused by your stomping habit. Other than not stomping, there's very little you can do, since the stomp is causing your femur and tibia to smash together. If the pain feels like it's around the knee, it could be a ligament problem, which could definitely be helped by playing with a knee brace on. I've played with one from time to time if my knee is a little ouchy, and it provides needed support. The important thing to remember is that if you're feeling pain (other than from normal muscle use) while you're playing, you should stop immediately, because continuing will just cause more damage.

cpurola · Trick Member Joined: 23 Apr 2004

I've been having knee problems too, but I'm in a little different situation.

I've been 'working out' an hour a day for close to three months on basic. Just 3 or 4 footers.

Anyways, I'm a bit older than you, ahem, cough, 47yrs. old, and I think it might be age related for me. So, I am taking some of those Glucosamine tablets every day, (they're supposed to help with joints) and an aspirin after I get done jumping around. I figure it couldn't hurt and might reduce any swelling from irritating the ligaments and muscles.
I don't take the aspirin before I DDR 'cause I want to know if I hurt myself so I can stop before I do permanent damage.

Oh, and yes, the stairs are a real 'lady dog'. (if ya know what I mean)(g)

My kids just don't understand why I'm still at a beginner level. After all, they were doing 6-7 footers after a few months. Ah, youth. (g)
Cindy

Slowpoke · Trick Member Joined: 28 Oct 2003

I've always thought there ought to be a thread for us "mature" DDR players to discuss issues like this

I think you'd be ok taking aspirin before you play. It's an anti-inflammatory, not an anesthetic, so it's not going to mask an injury you might be developing. It'd just minimize the inflammation that might develop, which is a good thing. In other words, it's stopping the actual source of the pain, not just masking it.

Hyperion · Trick Member Joined: 06 Sep 2003

I had knee problems starting a year back from now, turns out that I torn my meniscus and I need surgery. I suggest you get an MRI done to find out.