BJJ + bad knees
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Super.Froggy
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that's a tough one ... if your knees are still messed up well you should do cycling or swimming as far as MA goes you're pretty screwed unfortunately. Theres no point of making your situation even worse mostly if you want to start
Higher Learning
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i have completely jacked knee's as well bro and i was worried when i started training 5 months ago, no problems at all so far aside from a bit of aching after some classes, actually holding guard, using hooks etc has strengthened knees which i thought were completely gone to the point now i'm even doing judo once a week and having no worries getting them swept out from under me and vice versa... just start out slow, no standup etc until you feel more comfortable, bjj can be a pretty gentle sport
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There are better uses of your time IMHO. If you were already involved, I'd say do it, but you will be just as happy with other new interests that don't pose the same risk and problems.
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Anybody can learn jiu jitsu. I had Osgood Shlotters as a kid. I had meniscus surgery on one knee and badly sprained the other. I was worried about walking. Now my knees feel fine on the mat. I wear no brace.
I have no idea about your situation, but I would recommend strengthening your knees by walking, hiking, and swimming. You can make your knees stronger.
Then think about jiu jitsu.
I have no idea about your situation, but I would recommend strengthening your knees by walking, hiking, and swimming. You can make your knees stronger.
Then think about jiu jitsu.
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I've had knee surgery too.
It really depends on what you mean by "screwed up." If your knees are such that you'll always have to ask for concessions, or never will be able to fully spar....wait and do something else that will strengthen your knees. Weight training, stretching and cycling/walking.
After breaking my back in the Army, I went through nearly 13 years of not being able to do anything that I wanted (that whole time I was wanting to take BJJ too. IT SUCKED).
To keep myself in the best shape possible, I swam, stretched and walked a lot. When I finally got cleared to run and train again, I was able to go at it fully.
So, take the time and wait for it.
It really depends on what you mean by "screwed up." If your knees are such that you'll always have to ask for concessions, or never will be able to fully spar....wait and do something else that will strengthen your knees. Weight training, stretching and cycling/walking.
After breaking my back in the Army, I went through nearly 13 years of not being able to do anything that I wanted (that whole time I was wanting to take BJJ too. IT SUCKED).
To keep myself in the best shape possible, I swam, stretched and walked a lot. When I finally got cleared to run and train again, I was able to go at it fully.
So, take the time and wait for it.
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Higher Learning
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this is all true, just to add to my original post, i had completed re-hab and done a lot of swimming and water aerobics + biking etc before i started jiu jitsu.... i have to say i've felt more improvement from the jiu jitsu then anything else though
and i've had titanium plates, screws, reconstructed meniscus and sprains in both knees.... (rugby is a fkn bastard of a sport)
gracie_barra**
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just ask your partners to go no heel hooks/ knee bars
dont shoot too much, or better yet just throw or trip
dont sit back with your knee up to break guard too much, that might strain it
no rubber guard
and lastly dont kick out with the butterfly hooks too much when they try to flatten your butterfly guard, i agitated my knee doing this
dont shoot too much, or better yet just throw or trip
dont sit back with your knee up to break guard too much, that might strain it
no rubber guard
and lastly dont kick out with the butterfly hooks too much when they try to flatten your butterfly guard, i agitated my knee doing this
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Amazing story man. Props to you. How long have you been training jiu jitsu?
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I've been training no gi for about 2 1/2 years and gi for about 8 months. I've been studying it for about 15 years. I know that doesn't help much...but I think it has made me more comfortable on the mats and more hungry too.
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Dang! I know some rugby players. They're the only people crazier than hockey players. I taped up my knee for years playing hockey. It was all a big mistake. I should have just made it stronger. In the end I think all the bracing and tape made my knee weaker. I feel much better now with no brace.
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Cool. I started in 96 but took about 4 years off in the middle. I have around 8 years experience. It's a great way of life, isn't it?
Higher Learning
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rugby is great sport, but its hell on the body...
my rugby experience has helped my jiu jitsu though, with takedowns and positioning as some of the techniques are similar
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I'm sure your rugby experience has helped you greatly. I know hockey has helped me. Luckily we do a much gentler sport now.:icon_twis
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I've enjoyed lots of hobbies in my life, but there are few things that I have adopted into my life as truly a way of life.
This is one of those things. In my waking and dreaming hours, I think about it. I watch fights and think about it. I roll with my friends and think about it. I play with my kids and think about it. I watch videos and read books and take everything in that I can.
This is one of the few things that I want to be, as opposed to just do. I became a lawyer...it is a lifestyle. I became a husband and father, same sort of mentality. I want to be become a BJJ grappler, not just have it be something that I do.
killer carlson
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I've had cartilage surgery on both knees (twice on one.) As long as I don't spend to long kneeling it's ok (I start from my butt when sparring.)
If you really want to do it then I woud say go out and give it a try. You should be able to know quick enough if it is something you can continue doing. I would HIGHLY recommend that you take up cycling though.
Right now I'm on a bit of a layoff because of bad knees (patella tracking problem). I still train, but I make sure that I don't try any foolish techniques that require too much flexibility with the knees.
If you decide to try keep close eyes on your knees and if someone goes for toe-holds, kneebars, heel-hooks tap early, don't try to fight it off if you're caught.
Right now I'm on a bit of a layoff because of bad knees (patella tracking problem). I still train, but I make sure that I don't try any foolish techniques that require too much flexibility with the knees.
If you decide to try keep close eyes on your knees and if someone goes for toe-holds, kneebars, heel-hooks tap early, don't try to fight it off if you're caught.
Killer Carlson what kind of cartilage damage did you have in your knees? Was it chondromalacia or arthritis? What kind of operation did you have? I have chondromalacia in both knees and have had a recommendation to have microfracture surgery but as of now have chosen not to have the surgery because of the long down time.
