I just found out I have runner's knee (which means the underside of my kneecap is getting scraped by my femur). My doctor suggested swimming as the only exercise I can do for a while. The problem is, the only stroke I know is freestyle, and I'm not even very good at that. Can you explain to me how to swim without kicking my legs too much, which is painful on my knee? What types of swimming strokes should I use? Any advice for a beginning swimmer?
Links to sites with pictures and/or video is most helpful here.
2006-09-26 23:09:06 · 18 answers · asked by Amaunette 2 in Sports ➔ Swimming & Diving
I will be going to a personal trainer, but I couldn't get an appointment until next week, so my doctor suggested I swim until then. There are no swimming instructors in my town -- I checked the local rec center. That's why I'm looking for unprofessional advice, here.
2006-09-27 09:39:47 · update #1
With a bad knee it is essential that you stay away from breastroke as it means kicking hard and will hurt it even more. Butterfly is also not a good stroke to do as it means that you have to flex on the knee and it could hurt.
Frontcrawl and Backstroke are the best strokes. The leg movement isn't as aggressive and it is easy to swim these strokes without moving your knee.
Backstroke will probably be as easy to swim as frontcrawl, as you can float along as long as you push your waist up.
2006-09-27 02:23:52 · answer #1 · answered by maddy h 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To swim with a knee injury, first figure out how your body reacts when you move, for how long, and in what positions. (Your answer might help others in the future with a similar problem, like me who got into a motorcycle accident two days ago). Then, simply avoid those positions that cause pain. Float when you need to, use your arms more, and doggy-paddle if you feel like you're pushing your joints to the point of strain. Otherwise, modify your swimming strokes to use your knees less. There's no shame in doggy-paddling from one end of the pool to the other, or even using just your arms and letting your legs trail, which they'll naturally try to kick.
2016-01-31 11:00:43 · answer #2 · answered by Mysterie 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Freestyle kick is actually really gentle on the knees cause your kick is supposed to come from your hips, not your knees. That's probably why your doctor suggested it.
Try swimming with a kick board if your stroke isn't that great. Take it easy. Start from a stopped position with the kickboard in hand and rotate your hips from side to side while holding onto the board. Don't kick. Just feel how your legs naturally move through the water, kinda jello-ey like. Then try to copy that motion to get you to move forward.
Your trainer will be able to better help you. With stuff like this, the best way to learn is to do.
2006-09-28 08:22:09 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you aren't a very good swimmer and there are no instructors, you are in trouble. You actually aren't even supposed to use your knees for the flutter (freestyle) kick so you can use your quads, glutes, and hamstrings, which are more powerful. If you can find someone who can show you how to swim right, you'll have no problems.
Otherwise, stay away from breaststroke, and probably butterfly too.
Freestyle and Backstroke are good, as they use the flutter kick.
2006-09-30 08:23:38 · answer #4 · answered by punkkarrit182 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can try swimming with a pull float. You hold it between your legs and swim arms only.
https://secure.thelifeguardstore.com/productcart/pc/viewCat_h.asp?idCategory=88
You might also get an AquaJogger or WetVest and "run" in the water. It doesn't put any impact on your joints. Joan Benoit did it to rehab her knee after having surgery right before the 1984 Olympic trials.
http://aquajogger.com/default.htm
2006-09-27 07:11:36 · answer #5 · answered by rt11guru 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have a knee injury from softball 3 times on chures this year and i started swimming more and at first its painful but it gets better trust me swimming is the least painful excirse
2006-09-27 15:35:34 · answer #6 · answered by blondebeachbum77 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you souled get floats or don't swim and go to the gym and do a machine that only takes arms.i am just trying because i am not sure about nae injury's but i have a hand injury.creaked my top nickel my ring finger i shattered the bottom nickel of my ring finger and displaced my bottom half of my ring finger.i was playing soccer so why don't you ask you re doctor what to do for exercise
2006-09-30 09:27:54 · answer #7 · answered by spongebobfan 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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When you have a knee injury, you need to REST, not exercise! However, if you need to do a mild exercise, I think yoga might work.
2016-04-08 07:14:37 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am not an expert on this...but my suggestions would be to consult a swimming coach...it is always better to take suggestions from people after they have actually seen your knee and understand the problem...
2006-09-26 23:11:19 · answer #9 · answered by vani3624 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Physical therapist advise is a must, in order not inflict further injuries on your knees.
2006-09-27 02:06:21 · answer #10 · answered by Sam X9 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋