In the past year I did the bridge and the endurance templates. I have been working out for about 20 years but have never really focused on pure barbell strength until the past year or so.
My left knee has always bugged me but it really flared up the past few months. Oddly enough training doesn’t bother me but climbing stairs or doing a lunge or kneeling down really stings.
As of now,I took a month of squatting, I visited my bone and joint doctor and a physical therapist. Had some imaging done: no tears, arthritis, or anything like that.
The doc and therapist said my hamstrings and quads are really tight and the therapist said I have some hip and glute weaknesses. He prescribed some stretching this week and next week he’s adding some strengthening work. He thinks my weaknesses are manifesting themselves in the patellar area.
I squatted light tonight just to try it out, 135 for a few sets. It felt ok but I didn’t push it. I don’t seem to respond well to squats so I do wonder if there are form issues I am missing. Because of my tightness it’s hard to get real low. I’m barely parallel. I’m a little embarrassed to post my numbers because we have some real strong people here but the last time I lifted, my working sets were 305 for 8 reps. I wonder though if the heavy weight triggered some problems if anything in my form was lacking. Anyway…
So my long winded questions:
I was going to start the knee rehab template. Is that designed for issues such as mine?
I had never uses squatting shoes prior to the past month or so, which coincidentally is when my pain started. I was doing heavier weights than ever, but I also wonder if the shoes putting extra pressure on the knee could be an issue. Would you advise I use them or restart without them?
Is a patellar brace recommended? Therapist said he felt my legs were strong enough it wouldn’t be an issue. He said if I were weaker he’d advise no brace.