knee pain from playing lots of squash

[ducaticanine]

i'm a 35yr old guy in very good shape. i've had a slight pain in my right knee for years but it never got bad until now. i slipped on sweat on the floor which moved my knee in a weird way. its the right knee. lower inside area. i've still been playing with a bit of pain. and when i walk,its mostly ok. it doesnt appear to be serious,but after todays game,i've decided to take a break.at least a week or so. any suggestions? should i be worried of something serious? i can still walk normally and even play abit. i would think if it were serious i'd have a problem doing these things. but maybe i'm wrong. i'll go crazy if i have to stop squash!!

[Heidi]

Hi

Your injury could be a number of things, but most likely either a medial ligament sprain:

http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/front/knee/medialligament.htm

Or medial meniscus tear:

http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/front/knee/medialmeniscus.htm

You have done the right thing to rest it. If it feels like its improving and is fine to walk on, start doing some stretches for the quads, hamstrings and calves.

If this is fine for 3-4 days, start some of the gentle strengthening exercises shown on these pages. Slowly and gradually increase the number of reps and the difficulty of the exercises. Make sure you can do them all pain free before you return to squash and continue with the stretching.

Good luck!