Knee pain is the second most common type of pain experienced by competitive swimmers, according to the article "Knee Pain in Competitive Swimming" by Dr. Scott Rodeo and published in Clinics in Sports Medicine in 1999. Knee pain can occur with any type of swimming stroke but is most common with the breaststroke and it triggers primarily the medial side of the knee, which is on the inside of your knee. The causes can be anatomical or mechanical if you are not performing your swimming strokes with the proper form.
Treatment
If you experience knee pain when you are swimming, consult a physical therapist who can help you find exercises to strengthen the muscles in your legs that will give your knee added support. He might also be able to assist you in rehabilitating your knee if you have injured it while swimming.
Causes
One possible cause of knee pain from swimming might stem from an anatomical predisposition to knee pain if you have weak bones or your knee is not aligned properly. The knee is the largest joint in the body and bears considerable weight throughout your daily activities. It is important to swim with proper form to support your knees while swimming. Previous bone fractures or ligament tears in your knees can also be a major cause for pain when you are swimming.
What to Avoid
If you experience knee pain when swimming, avoid all strokes that require you to kick hard, such as the breaststroke and elementary backstroke. Front and back crawl strokes are usually gentler on your knees, but if your pain is sharp, you might be experiencing a medial ligament or MCL tear and should cease all activity that involves your knee until you have been examined by a doctor. Some tears can be healed with rest and physical therapy and others may need surgery.
Temporary Relief
If you are unsure of the cause of your knee pain when you go swimming, wear a hinged knee brace to protect your ligaments until you get a proper medical examination. If you have inflammation, safe herbs that have anti-inflammatory properties include garlic and turmeric, which you can add to your meals. Over-the-counter pain medication may help temporarily to ease your discomfort, but avoid using your knee or swimming when your pain subsides, as this is only meant to help you until you can receive treatment.
