Hi there,
I am a 34 yr old guy from Romania. I always wanted to practice Tai chi, and looks like I'll soon have the possibility to do that.
But there is a problem with my left knee-joint that was injured years ago.
Normally it doesn't hurt, only when I bend my knee with the bodyweight on that foot (e.g. when climbing stairs).
My physician told me, the only way to deal with this is by surgery, but he recommended me to avoid it, because the injury is rather an unusual one, and my condition could get even worse, should the surgery go wrong.
So my question is: can I still start to practice Tai chi, or it is absolutely necessary to "repair" my knee first?
Thank you for your attention!
Kashunator

I think this is a question for Master Tsao first, but in my opinion, you can practice Yang style in a rather high position : no need to bend your knee to much, not more than when you are walking.

And for your knee, do you have tried acupuncture ? If you can find an acupuncturist in Roumania of course.

kashunator wrote:

So my question is: can I still start to practice Tai chi, or it is absolutely necessary to "repair" my knee first? Kashunator

Hi Kashunator,

It is a hard question, and I'm not a doctor, I can't give medical advice.

I like Maria's suggestion to talk to a Traditional Chinese Medicine doctor first. Acupuncture may help, depending on the injury. Personally, I would talk also to an osteopath, somebody who is using low-energy techniques, not like a chiropractor.

Regarding Taichi, anybody can practise. If you can walk, you can do taichi . All the high and low postures look good and impressive, but you don't need that if you practise Taiji for health.

I guess you would have to practise always conscious of your knee, make sure you don't bend it too much, and always in the right direction, i.e in the direction of your toes. The knee is a complex joint, and it works well if we use it like it was meant for.

Make sure the teacher knows the condition of your knee. There is a chance that practising Taiji may even help heal your knee, slowly. You can also learn Qigong to improve the energy circulation and make your joints stronger.

Do you know what style or what forms you may start learning?

Thanks for your answers!
I fell in love with Tai chi the first time I saw somebody practicing.
I have no idea yet about the style, it also depends on what I will find close enough to where I'll live (in August I'll be moving together with my wife to the US for 2 or 3 years, she has a contract as a postdoc there). By the way: if you know a good master somewhere close to South Bend IN, please, let me know about him/her!
Concerning acupuncture and Qigong, I don't think those could help me, you see: there is a thin crack on the cartilage... but your master probably knows better... maybe... I would be glad to hear, that there is something to do, other than surgery!
Anyway, I'll take a closer look to this Yang style...
Kashunator

kashunator wrote:

Concerning acupuncture and Qigong, I don't think those could help me, you see: there is a thin crack on the cartilage... but your master probably knows better... maybe... I would be glad to hear, that there is something to do, other than surgery!

Hi Kashunator,

I can only offer my own experience here. I have a torn meniscus in my left knee, so I cannot bend my knee 100%, for example like kneeling down and sitting on my heels. It happened 4 or 5 years ago, and although it is not totally healed and probably never will, it got much better slowly over the years with Taiji. My legs and knees are much stronger now than when I started practising, and I don't have to go to surgery either!

Many studies show also that Taiji has a positive effect on bone density, this may help too.

Taiji is no magic, but if you take good care of your knee, I believe there is some chance your condition may improve. But like they say here, "your mileage may vary"

I hope you find a Taiji class to your liking in the US, and that your knee will get better. I know from my own experience a crippled knee is not fun at all!

good luck.

Wow Alain, this is really encouraging!
After your last message I tried some of the postures I've seen on Master Tsao's sample videos (only the footwork, to "test" my knee), and none of those caused any problem or difficulty.
So I'll definitely join a class as soon as I get through the routine of settling down in the US (you know: renting a house, buying a car, stuff like that).
Thank you for your help, this is great news for me!
Kashunator

P.S.: my real name is Ercsey-Ravasz Ferenc, but that's in Hungarian, really hard to pronounce, so I'll stick to my nick...

I will add a comment too : my neighbour had a problem in the cartilage of one shoulder. It was very painful and she had to take morphin. Her physician had told her the same as your' s : maybe could you try a surgery but without guarantee.

She has been to an acupuncturist and now she can move her shoulder, does not take morhpin anymore.

Do not give up before trying this

Hi Kashunator,
Your knee problem rather typical for people of your age and older. The problem with that is that your leg muscles become weaker and knee cap start pressing down damaging the rest of the joint. If you are going to practice taijiquan starting with high positions eventually your leg muscles become stronger and most likely knee problem will be fixed.

I also had some minor knee problem and was advised by some doctor to quit practicing taiji. However, I fixed my knees problems after first 6-9 month. Last time I check my knee with the doctor it was just fine:)