Physical Therapy suggestions for knees

[muddywings]

Any prior trauma that would have caused this issue?
I am not generally a big fan of running to PTs due to pain that is unrelated to a specific injury or medical procedure. My general philosophy is PTs are great for fixing injuries but the greatest for just fixing pain. I will qualify this with the fact that my wife just finished PT Assistant program and we are in agreement here. I have a good friend that is also a PT and she quietly whispers that advise too. My wife and I also have had surgeries that required PT.
So, that being said, at your age I would guess something is out of alignment or something is damaged due to something being out of alignment.
I came down Barr Trail (after the incline) and the top of my knee was hurting a lot the next day. Iced it. Motrin 3x a day-10 days. Nothing. Went in to a sports medicine chiropractor and he felt around the kneecap and felt that the tendon was misaligned. He worked it a bit and pushed the tendon back in place. In and out in one visit. Advised it would be sore for a bit then should start feeling better. If not, could use one or two more treatments. Few days later, 1000% improvement. He advised if I kept running on it, I would have torn the tendon. (In other words....listen to your body).
Now granted, I saw Dr. Leahy who invented Active Release Technique so he's da man. I would look into sports medicine doctor but highly recomend someone who is trained in ART.

[drift_g35]

Little bit of an update. I switched my Super Feet Orange insoles into my hiking books and did a 4 mile hike up to Maxwell falls yesterday. No issues, shin splints didnt act up and my knee's are doing pretty good. I am still going to go see a different doctor but the insoles definitely helped a lot. Before I was only using them in my running shoes.

[Great-Kazoo]

Little bit of an update. I switched my Super Feet Orange insoles into my hiking books and did a 4 mile hike up to Maxwell falls yesterday. No issues, shin splints didnt act up and my knee's are doing pretty good. I am still going to go see a different doctor but the insoles definitely helped a lot. Before I was only using them in my running shoes.

if you're using OTC foot forms spend the $3-500 and get the correct ones from a podiatrist. THAT will make a world of difference.
I'd also suggest a good massage therapist and or acupuncturist. Chiropractors (good ones) can and do help, ask them about doing Cuvoid syndrome adjustments.Iit's the small bone in your feet that slips out and pulls on the tendon, causing inflamination and PAIN. The podiatrist suggest the spousal unit see a chiro and have an adj on her feet done. Her relief was instantaneous, with follow up treatments and using ice on the inflammation, it worked wonders. She also spent the money on prescription orthotics vs OTC / Dr, Schols which helps too.

[Delfuego]

Glad to hear it! Amazing what Orthotics (footbeds) can fix. I would still recommend the bike and ice route also. It is great for quad muscle strength which really help your knees. You can use a stationary bike to both warm up before and cool down after your hikes. Ice and Motrin can help you rebound for the next days hike too. If you have access to a gym, a stair-master or versa-climber is a great way to rebuild leg strength.

[Delfuego]

Squats are terrible for you knees, and worse for your back. Your likely do the damage to yourself. If you want to build leg muscle mass; do weighted leg presses from your back on a machine. The knee extension machine exercises are better for you also.

Bicycling, stair climbing and swimming will help the knees w/o hurting them...

You only get one set of knees, and they have to last your whole life (60-80 years). Take care of them. I am still pretty young and have arthritis and screws in my knees and believe me it sucks!

[drift_g35]

Does anyone know if this is true: I was once told that you can only get 2 knee replacement surgeries or something like that in your life, and you should wait as long as you can before you do it.

[XC700116]

Does anyone know if this is true: I was once told that you can only get 2 knee replacement surgeries or something like that in your life, and you should wait as long as you can before you do it.

Generally yes, left and right and that's about it depending on the extent of the replacement, and they WILL wear out, not might but WILL. No doc in their right mind will do a replacement on a 24 yr old guy unless you're wheelchair bound and probably won't do it then.

[Great-Kazoo]

Untrue. if it were i'm screwed. CALL COLORADO LIMB CONSULTANTS. 303-8670072 Stop dicking around. Better early than later. TRUST ME.

[Gman]

I'm in here looking for ideas, too. Years of 'toughing it out' and 'playing hurt' has be royally paying for it now. Feet, ankles, and knees are a mess. If I knew then, what I know now....

Got it from my physical therapist that leg extensions are one of the worst things you can do. Cycliing is good for full range of motion and low impact. Aleve (naproxen sodium) is about the only NSAID that gives me some relief.