I now believe side-split stretch can hurt the knee

[uss2048]

I have been doing side-split leg stretch for years. This is the first time that I ever have such knee pain problem. There have been sharp pain felt on the ACL of my right knee during the initial phase of the stretch. But not on my left knee. And the way I do the stretch is with my knees facing the front, knees kept straight, and hands in front to support the body weight. Is there any wrong with the way I do the side-spilt stretch, like the thigh and hip alignment, foot pointing straight or relaxed, etc. May be other members or Mr. Kurz would like to help.



KC
Hong Kong

[CSta]

Is there any wrong with the way I do the side-spilt stretch, like the thigh and hip alignment, foot pointing straight or relaxed, etc.

Difficult for anyone to assess your side split without a picture or a video of you sliding into your split.

Also, as the information on this website and in Kurz's book "Stretching Scientifically" book and DVD "Secrets of Stretching" will tell you, the training method you used to achieve the side splits is important. If your training method was inconsistent with Kurz's recommendations, it is possible your side split positioning is correct, and you're pain is caused by a failure to condition your lower body correctly.

[uss2048]

I have read Mr. Kurz's book and the info on this website on side-split stretch. But there is no detail info in the leg muscle contraction affecting the knee during the stretch. Oh, by the way I tried the stretch this morning, and I found that relaxing the muscles around the knee while still keeping the knee straight will reduce the ACL pain a lot. There is still light pain felt, and that can be easily explained. The right ACL has a minor strain injury, so it hurts a bit when my leg moves.

Any other input regarding this topic is welcomed.



Regards,

KC
Hong Kong