Knee ache

Question
Hello! I am a 24yr old male, who regularly lifts weights and jogs throughout the week, although recently (past two weeks), I have not been jogging, only lifting weights.

For some reason, my left knee aches when walking up the stairs, and that is the only time it aches. This just came up a day or two ago, and hasnt gone away since. The only thing I can think of, is that a 4 days ago I had my "leg day" at the gym, and I did my regular: squats, incline leg press, stiff-leg deadlifts, and calf raises. Nothing (that I noticed) happened at the gym, and I had no pain. I believe the pain came two days later.

The pain is a somewhat dull ache/pain when I walk up the stairs, seems like it is towards the top inside of my knee. I would give the pain a 5 out of 10, 10 being the worst. Like I said, the pain goes away when I do anything else, I only notice it while walking up the stairs. Its like a certain point in the movement of my leg when walking up the stairs, in which it pains. As soon as my leg gets past that point where it pains, the pain stops until I have to take the next step with the same leg.

Any advice/knowledge you have is greatly appreciated! Thank you!

Answer
Hi Chris
It is very likely you have the early stages of chondromalacia based on your symptoms and description going up and down stairs.I have helped 100's of clients around the world also was my own first client.It is possible it could be do to your leg routine over time,but either way your symptoms do tell the chondromalacia story.The best course of action for rehabbing and prevention is an up right stationary bike with med tension increasing as you become stronger with high rpm 65 to 90rpm for 30 minutes to 1hr as often as you can till it subsides.It is basically a tracking and alignment issue which is quite common.I would stay away from any leg routine till you have it under control and corrected.


All the best

John