knee pain and the academy

[maninflight]

Hello,
I am an applicant for a county police department and am concerned about the academy's physical fitness requirements.  I passed the department's initial physical fitness test; however, the last couple years I have noticed knee pain after I run.  This is especially the case after long distances, and was the case for about two weeks after the PT. Will I be expected to run each morning at the academy?  Would bad knees bar me from employment?  Thanks for your help.

[Sergeant1107]

Hello,
I am an applicant for a county police department and am concerned about the academy's physical fitness requirements.  I passed the department's initial physical fitness test; however, the last couple years I have noticed knee pain after I run.  This is especially the case after long distances, and was the case for about two weeks after the PT. Will I be expected to run each morning at the academy?  Would bad knees bar me from employment?  Thanks for your help.

It depends on the academy.  In Connecticut we ran two mornings per week and had a PT test three or four times during the sixteen weeks I was there.

Regarding whether bad knees will bar you from employment you will only be able to get a definitive answer from the agency to which you are applying.  There are numerous factors to consider which your agency and your doctor need to cover with you.

[hwsternfan]

Hopefully you can suck it up for 6 months.  You usually run at least a mile and a half a day 5 days a week duringthe academy.  Stock up on the Advil!

[dimas]

The running that you are expected to do really depends on the academy and agency.  

As far as pain management, advil does wonders.

I would also recommend a glucosamine/MSM supplement as well as knox gelatin to assist in rebuilding cartilage.

Also, ice and icy hot applications will also help.

[polyscam]

Just be careful with medications containing ibuprofin (sp?).  If ingested prior to excercise, your heart rate could reach dangerous levels.

[hwsternfan]

Just be careful with medications containing ibuprofin (sp?).  If ingested prior to excercise, your heart rate could reach dangerous levels.

Good advice...thanks!

[hwsternfan]

My doctor turned me on to BIOFREEZE...you can get it from your doctor....I've also seen it on Ebay...works wonders.

[Twoblock]

maninflight

dimas has some good advice.

Years ago I had severe osteo auth. and lost 2" in hight. I was in so much pain it was hard to do my work, My doctor put me on osteo-bi-flex (a sundown supplement of glucosamine/condroiten?). After about eight months I was totally free of pain and four years later I have gained back 11/2". It sure does rebuild cartilage.

Now, at 75, I can climb mountains and work 10 to 12 hours a day at the mine.