Knee Problems

[killerbee]

Hi Everyone. I have had problems with my knees since I was in High School. When I squat or bend down, my knees crackle like popcorn. At times, they also feel weak.

Over the weekend I participated in a 10 mile Advanced level hike (6 hours) with a few of my friends. It was pretty much 5 miles uphill (climbing rocks, steep inclines, uneven ground) and 5 miles downhill (climbing down rocks, steep declines, and uneven ground). By the time I was finished with the hike my knees were in pain. I could hardly stand up from a seating position and I walked like I was 100 yrs old.

Could someone recommend to me some type of knee brace or knee pad that could help with this problem? I usually do not have these problems when I do my regular exercises. I'm guessing that my knees took such a beating on this hike because I was wearing hiking books. My knees took the bulk of the "shock"

Any suggestions would be appreciated.........

[.V.]

Without knowing or seeing them I can't give medical advice. However, most pharmacies sell "knee sleeves" that some docs seem to reccomend for knee problems.

Most folks would say not to use braces and wraps though because they allow the muscles to weaken around the joint. I honestly have no firshand knowledge of this. If my legs are wobbly, I wrap. If not - I dont. So since I don't use them for most workouts, I haven't noticed a difference.

Personally, my knees had just started giving me problems and they got better when I started incorporating full olympic squats into my workout - the kind where my butt touches my ankles before I push up from the squatted position.