My essay is a basic corrective exercise approach to specific knee pain caused by lack of ankle mobility. Most individuals will either have knee discomfort underneath the knee, also known as 'Jumper's Knee' or 'Runner's Knee' e.g. discomfort on the side of the leg/knee. Please recognize the difference between 'discomfort' and 'pain'. As I always tell my clients 'we do not work through pain' but discomfort is a red flag. Stop the exercise and learn how to address and prevent the pain.
The discomfort is the precursor to a bad situation becoming worse. Fortunately, attending to the discomfort and applying some exercise science and commonsense we usually can reverse the ailment.
If you have had consistent knee pain then I would suggest seeing a medical professional. Lastly, I highly recommend getting an assessment of your posture, flexibility and muscular strength imbalances by fitness professional. The information will help you become more efficient in your workout and prevent any joint dysfunction. Your goals will be easier to attain because you will recruit more muscles for your workout and not be sideline by injury.
This is part 1 of my 'Got Knee Pain?' essay. In this essay, I will discuss the importance of ankle mobility and muscle balance in the calf/shin muscles. Visualize what you do when you get out of bed. The first part of our body to touch the earth is our big toe followed by the other toes, the ball of our feet then heel. If you ever stumped your toe, you will quickly notice the importance of our ankle mobility and how it affected our posture. We will compensate the pain in the toe by changing the way we walk, unconsciously leaning on one side of our body which stresses other muscles and joints.
Most knee pain is the result of sedentary lifestyle (8-10 hours of sitting or inactivity per day), muscle imbalances, poor form while performing exercises and lack of rest (overuse). There are other possible factors such as flat feet, posture, age, type of shoes, past surgeries etc...
Knee discomfort usually springs from a disruption of the ACL or MCL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament- front of knee, Meniscus Cruciate Ligament -both sides of the knee). View the ligaments as the 'shock absorbers' of the knee. There are other ligaments in the knee joint but I will only address the most common injuries. The knee is a marvel when you think how much pressure/shock it absorbs from our regular walking to work, walking up stairs, jogging and even abrupt stopping. Without a stable knee, our easiest everyday tasks become a challenge. Did you know that the foot moves in all anatomical planes, unlike the knee, which primarily moves in the sagittal plane (flexion and extension).
Generally, people who sit all day will have tight hamstrings, hip flexors, calf muscles, weak gluteus (buttocks) and underactive inner thigh muscles. Please note, other preventable muscle imbalances and joint dysfunction may arise from overuse or a sedentary lifestyle e.g. low back pain, hip drop/hike, neck pain. FYI, when you have tight muscles, its primary functional movement might be altered. For example, tight hamstrings and tight lower back usually signal a weak gluteus muscle. The weak gluteus (buttocks) muscle function of being an extensor muscle will be dominated by the hamstring and lower back. This will limit your range of hip joint movement and affect the joints above and below: spine, shoulder blades, rotator cuff and also the knee.
The joint below the knee is the ankle. Tight calf muscles, whether from sitting down all day or wearing high heels may alter you ankle mobility. The shin muscles will be unable to perform it primary role because its' opposing muscle 'the calf' is overpowering it via its tightness. Many people get shin splints and plantar fasciitis because of tight calf muscles and weak shin muscles ( posterior tibalis).
It's important to note that no muscles work independently. Secondly, if you have tight muscles its' opposing muscles are usually weak and needs to be strengthen. Remember, muscles wrap around our joints. When they are tight our joints range of motion is affected and it travels throughout our posture and human body kinetic chain.
· Jumper's knee- underneath the knee
Some symptoms from tight calf muscles and weak shin muscles:
· Runner's knee- muscles on the side of your hip/leg down to you knee. (ITB,TFL)
· Plantar Fasciitis
· Shin Splints
· Achilles Tendonitis
· Low back pain
· Feet externally rotate
I highly suggest asking a fitness professional for assistance.
Basic assessment tests for hamstring and calf muscle flexibility and extensibility:
Sit on the floor with your legs together and straightened. Sit upright, exhale and reach for your toes. Measure the results. How far away were your fingertips from your toes? Note: You can have flexible hamstring muscle with tight calf muscles. This is generally a hamstring flexibility test. If you can touch your toes then go to the tube stretch drill.
Sit and reach:
Foam Roll: Foam roll (Self Myo Fascia SMR Roll) are everywhere. Most gyms have them but few people use them. I use them for muscle recovery/regeneration and for assessment of muscle tension. Place the foam roll underneath your calf muscles. Lift your body off the floor with your hands so your can have more pressure between the foam roll and calf muscles. Breathe and draw in your navel. Lastly, cross one foot over the other and check for tension. If on a scale of 1-10, 5 being uncomfortable, you score higher than a 5 then you have tight calf muscles. For more information on foam rolling techniques visit my website or check out 'Maximum Boost Workouts' eBook .
Resistance Tube Calf Stretch: This is a sure way to check for tight calf muscles. Obtain a resistance tube or thera band with 15lbs-20lbs of tension (towel can also be used). Sit on the floor and place both handles over the bridge of your foot. NOTE: Make sure to secure it over the bridge of the foot or it can become loose and slap you in the face. After the handles are secure grab the opposite side of the tube with your hands and lay flat on your back. The leg that does NOT have the handles on the foot should be straightened with the knee touching the floor and toes pointing up.
Next slowly lift the leg with the handles over the foot. Bring the leg towards your hip and make sure your leg is straight. Once you reach the maximum flexibility of your hamstrings, point your big toe downwards toward you face. You should feel the calf muscles being stretched. If you feel a stretch behind the knee or in your hamstrings then this may be the cause of your knee discomfort. Hold for 1mintute and 30 seconds, breathe and keep your shoulder, head and lower back on the floor.
There is no silver bullet when it comes to lessening the knee discomfort. If your discomfort persists for then please see a medical professional.
Suggested corrective exercise drills for tight calf muscles and ankle mobility:
Foam Roll your calf muscles including the sides and shin muscles. Find a tender spot and hold it for 45 seconds. One technique is to place the foam roll underneath your calf muscles. Lift your body off the floor with your hands so your can have more pressure between the foam roll and calf muscles. Breathe and draw in your navel. Lastly, cross one foot over the other and check for tension. If on a scale of 1-10, 5 being uncomfortable, you score higher than a 5 then you have tight calf muscles. For more information on foam rolling techniques visit my website.
First and foremost:
Tennis Ball Roll: This is similar to foam rolling. While seated place a tennis ball under the bridge of your foot (no shoes/sandals). Roll the ball under the foot while simultaneously gently pressing downward. Once you find a tender spot, hold it for 40 seconds. Repeat as needed.
Tube Stretch: This is a sure way to check for tight calf muscles. Obtain a resistance tube or thera band with 15lbs-20lbs of tension (towel can also be used). Sit on the floor and place both handles over the bridge of your foot. NOTE: Make sure to secure it over the bridge of the foot or it can become loose and slap you in the face. After the handles are secure grab the opposite side of the tube with your hands and lay flat on your back. The leg that does NOT have the handles on the foot should be straightened with the knee touching the floor and toes pointing up.
Next slowly lift the leg with the handles over the foot. Bring the leg towards your hip and make sure your leg is straight. Once you reach the maximum flexibility of your hamstrings, point your big toe downwards toward you face. You should feel the calf muscles being stretched. If you feel a stretch behind the knee or in your hamstrings then this may be the cause of your knee discomfort. Hold for 1mintute and 30 seconds, breathe and keep your shoulder, head and lower back on the floor. Repeat as needed.
Stepper or Tri-Stepper: Steppers are a convenient way to stretch your calf muscles. There is now available a Tri-Stepper that allows you to stretch your calf muscles in all anatomical planes (left, right, back, forward). They might have a different name but a fitness professional will understand and be able to assist you.
Shin Muscles Strength Drills: These drills are best when done with a partner but can be done alone. You will need either a resistance tube, band or cable machine. You want to exercise your shin muscle from (3) different angles. It is very important you perform these drills with diligence and go for the full range of motion instead of speed/increased tension.
- Sit upright on a bench with one leg resting on top of the bench. Your ankle and foot is slightly off the bench. Note your toe is point up. Place a resistance tube (10lbs-20lbs tension) over the foot. Your partner will pull the handle and foot down and away from you (plantar flexion)...you will dorsi flex or bring your foot back into a 45degree angle. Repeat 12-20 times ..hold for dorsiflexion for 2 seconds. Repeat as needed.
- Repeat instructions above...but your will now evert your foot (turn foot outwards). Your partner will gently pull the handle over the foot in the opposite direction. . Repeat 12-20 times ..hold for dorsiflexion for 2 seconds. Repeat as needed.
- Repeat instructions from #1 drill...but your will now invert your foot (turn foot inwards). Your partner will gently pull the handle over the foot in the opposite direction. . Repeat 12-20 times ..hold dorsiflexed foot for 2 seconds. Repeat as needed.
Trainer tip: Use only one resistance tube handle for the first couple of sets. Learn the complete range of motion of the drill then increase tension.
Stand in front of a wall with a stagger stance. Stretch your arms out and place your hands on the wall- directly in front of shoulders. Back leg is straight (do not lock knee) and leading leg is in a 90 degree bend with both heels on the floor... This drill resembles a calf stretch but you will rock back and forth for 45 seconds. Perform drill on opposite leg. Repeat as needed.
Standing calf stretch with rocking (ankle mobility):
Bosu Ball foot compression (ankle mobility): Great for plantar fasciitis and promoting ankle mobility. Stand on top of a Bosu ball (Dome up and flat piece on the floor). Once on top of the dome learn to balance, stay upright with knees slight bended and navel drawn in. With hands on your hips begin pressing the ball of your feet down on the ball and then shift your weight to your heels. Go back and forth and alternate feet compression. Perform for 45 seconds. Repeat as needed.
After you relaxed your muscles with foam rolling and lengthened them via stretches do the following.
Single Leg Stance with leg abduction on Airex Balance Pad: This drill can be done without a Airex balance pad but I prefer the instability to promote neuromuscular efficiency and inter muscular coordination..Stand on top of a Airex Balance Pad. You are upright with hands on your hips and navel drawn in. Remember to think tall and relax the shoulders. Lift one leg off the floor and to the side for 8-12 repetitions. Keep the toe inward and slowly perform the exercise. Repeat for 3 sets
By the way, consider the following as possible culprits to your knee pain:
· Do you wear high heels on a regular basis?
· Check your footwear for arch support.
· Do you have a workout that promotes joint health and muscle recovery/regeneration? E.g. foam roll, ankle mobility drills
· Are you performing hip dominated exercises to balance out your knee dominant exercises? e.g. single leg deadlifts
These are a few suggestions but there are many other modalities that can assess and alleviate most common knee pain. Integrate a corrective exercise routine into your program and your will be amazed on the positive results. It is time to take your fitness to the next level!
In my next essay, I will discuss how muscles imbalance above the knee leads to knee discomfort and pain. Feel free to contact for pictures and videos of the drills or more information on strength and conditioning training.
Be well and stay ACTIVE!
Julio A. Salado, AFAA & NASM C.P.T.
Fitness Foundry, designed for healthy living©
Certified Personal Trainer
Assess, Initiate, Motivate
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