Discussion Board

3 years after losing 100 lbs, and 2 years after following a progressive calisthenics program 3-4x/week and walking 10-20 miles per week, I consistently have problems with my joints/tendons, though I am only 20 years old.

With extension and flexion of my right arm, my elbow pops and I feel it grind. When I reach over my shoulders to scrach my back, my shoulders pop/grind. Both of my hips pop when doing hanging leg raises, my right hip grinds and is painful if I stand and pull my knee toward my chest. My ankles, feet, and knees pop with every other step.

I've had chronic tendinitis for 14 months in both elbows. For a 6 week period I had cut out pullups, handstand pushups, tuck planches, and anything else very strenuous on the elbows. The pain seemed to go away completely. I slowly built up with less than 50% of what I knew I could do (repetitions of 1 or 2 pullups when I could easily do 4). Eventually I developed pain again. I'm somewhat discouraged by this, because I want to progress, but my joints and tendons are limiting me.

I have wondered if being obese for 16 years managed to destroy proper joint formation and fitting. I may just end up having to cut back to very basic calisthenics if I continue to have issues with certain movements, or maybe it will take a few more years for my body to adapt to activity and a lower bodyweight.

Does anybody else have the issue with poor fitted joints? The only benefit I can think of with doing less exercise is I can maintain a better CRON regimen and reduce my weight much more than it is now (150 lbs, BMI 22).

The only thing I can suggest is reading "Pain Free" by Pete Egoscue. He talks about a lot of the issues people have with pain stem from muscle imbalances. That may be the case. You may want to see a doctor who specializes in sports injuries. I've seen one in the Atlanta area and have found him very helpful. He showed my some exercises and stretches that really helped with my knee and hip pain.

Michael

If you can afford it/have insurance, I would definitely see a sports medicine doc or some sort of joint doc that may send you to a physical therapist. Although you may have some problems that will never get 100% better, maybe with proper therapy they will at least become tolerable.

And if you try one doctor a few times and you're not getting better or the answers you like, then try a different one.

For those elbows, make sure you are sitting ergomically correct at the computer.

I did have popping joints when I was young, and I heard that is just air. The grinding though you shouldn't be having. Listen to your body, it's the only one you have. See a doctor as the others suggested.

I am currently out of country, but I can definitely see if I can find a good English speaking doctor. My insurance might cover it if they think it's important enough, but not likely Good thing doctors visits in Germany are cheaper than in NY anyway.

Have you ever considered eliminating gluten from your diet to see if this helps resolve your joint issues? This helped my son and I when we were having similar problems with our joints.

I have already eliminated gluten from my diet after finding that it causes me to breakout. Also, oats worsen my keratosis pilaris, so I do not eat those.

My diet already has the following eliminated, but I suspect I should eliminate more:
corn, wheat, oats, nightshades, apples (cause severe nausea), garlic, onion

I have been eating almost exclusively from this list:
brown rice, lentils, zucchini, red cabbage, cucumber, melons, bananas, beets, carrots, fennel, and some various spices.

I'm a bit worried about this chronic tendinitis because it has been going on for so long (15 or 16 months at this point). I now have tendinitis in my wrists and my right knee and left hip hurt when walking. My right knuckle pain and swelling reduced once I cut out tomatoes and potatoes, but it is still not back to normal, so I suspect there is something left, and I might have to do a radical elimination diet. I'm not exactly ready for such a strict change until next week. I also have the starts of pain in my spine again (I believe another bulging disc).