Front Squats and Pain above knee- opinions?

Travis Hall · 09-02-2009, 02:58 PM

Hello everyone,

I've started front squatting regularly, 2-3 times a week. I have noticed a mild pain developing just above my knee on the top of the leg. It is not my knee, but maybe a muscle or a tendon above it (?). I am assuming it is not serious. It does not affect my strength or squatting ability or hinder me physically in any way. It is just sore during squatting or similar leg ROM/bending movements- Not while running or walking. It has only occurred after squatting. It is only my right knee. Unfortunately, I don't have a camera or anything to post pictures of my FS form.

I squat below parallel, but not A2G. I am working on flexibility and not allowing any butt tuck. I am within a few inches of the ground. Elbows are high and from what I can tell my knees are following my feet. My knees are quite forward though, in line with my toes. I do not feel like I push through my heels, but more through the 'center' of my foot. I have not squatted heavy at all. Only BW- 165lbs. As I am concerned about the knee...

I've attached a picture pointing at the general area that is sore.

I have an appointment with a sports doctor about something unrelated and will bring it up with him too, but that's in a few weeks.

I'm just curious if anyone has any ideas what may be causing this. Is it simply a flexibility issue I am unaware of? Or something more serious.

Thanks.
I apologize if this should be in Recovery. I wasn't sure. I figured it was probably technique..

Steven Low · 09-02-2009, 05:34 PM

Generally, if it's that tendon it's overuse.

Rest, ice, massage

Travis Hall · 09-03-2009, 03:25 AM

So it probably is a tendon? hmm.

Overuse. This surprises me. I went from doing problem free high rep bw squats, 50-100- if not more- a day, to doing 3x5,5x5,7x1 with weight and I get an overuse injury? Doesn't make sense to me...

Steven Low · 09-03-2009, 07:55 AM

No, I'm asking if it's on the tendon?

If it's not then it's probably not overuse.

It's possible that your muscles are tight too causing pain. ART/foam roll/massage quads would be good as well.

Travis Hall · 09-03-2009, 01:29 PM

I misunderstood you.

Honestly, I don't know if it is on a tendon. That's why I included the picture- I hoped it would help someone who was more knowledgeable then I.

I will try the massage. Are there any kind of stretches that you would recommend I look at if it is a tight muscle issue? I am assuming anything that stretches the quads/top of the leg?

Thanks Steven. I appreciate the advice.

Steven Low · 09-03-2009, 07:38 PM

I can't really tell what your picture is pointing at. It's too vague.

Quad stretches work.

All this is just random guess work unless you can provide more accurate information, or actually go to a professional.

Travis Hall · 09-05-2009, 03:34 AM

Yes, you're right about the vague part. I will be seeing a professional- only it's two more weeks away.

I was hoping it was one of those 'common' injuries.
ex.I would mention pain in this area and a few people would immediately recognize it and say, "It's because A is not B. I had that, do this, and, poof! Gone!" or some such thing. I can see it isn't so common though.

Thanks for trying to help though. I'll just wait it out and see what the Doc says.

Travis.

Jeff Gray · 09-27-2009, 01:48 PM

I think a lot of knee pain around the patellar tendon is due to shin angle and not keeping the quad muscles active during a squat. Maybe try some box squats and see if you still get the pain, as they allow you to greatly reduce shin angle and make you sit back into the squat more. Just an idea.

Steven Low · 09-27-2009, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Gray

I think a lot of knee pain around the patellar tendon is due to shin angle and not keeping the quad muscles active during a squat. Maybe try some box squats and see if you still get the pain, as they allow you to greatly reduce shin angle and make you sit back into the squat more. Just an idea.

Poor recruitment of the hamstrings (knees too far over toes -- not enough "sitting back") leading to some maltraction of the patella. Certainly a possibility.

Alex Nowasell · 09-30-2009, 12:28 PM

tendon damage isn't as likely at the top of the knee as any other part of the knee. i had a problem about like this when i started upping my front squatting, its probably a tight muscle or some.......it just went away after awhile with plenty of icing and foam rolling. although it might be quite a bit different from mine since my knee is screwed up do to soccer.