Dodgy knees?

[gareth h]

Any advice? I am fairly active (mountain biking, rowing, weights) gave up playing 5 a side 7 or 8 years ago when chasing the youngsters about stopped the fun (I'm 55), played a lot of footie and squash when I was younger, knackered lower back but my knees have always been fine.
A few weeks ago I was persuaded to give walking football a go, really enjoyed it, but after each session my knees are really sore.
Is it possible that it is because the muscles supporting the knee are a bit weak and need some stability exercises? (There is still quite a lot of twisting and turning). Or should I just accept being a knackered old bloke and retire gracelessly?

[RizzoTheRat]

Where on the knee? I used to get trouble low down on the outside of my knees when running, which is apparently a common ITB issue. Stretching my ITB (sit on a chair with your knees at right angles as normal, put one ankle on the other knee, with the raised legs knee out to the side, lean forwards) regularly sorted it out.

[gareth h]

It's mostly under my knees, bit painful walking down stairs in the morning, but a session on the turbo trainer seems to loosen them up.

[anonymous-user]

gareth h said:

It's mostly under my knees, bit painful walking down stairs in the morning, but a session on the turbo trainer seems to loosen them up.

I’m 54 and similar sporting background to you. If I do any lengthy down hill walking, my left knee is very painful at the base and I have to rest it.

Scans and X-rays showed simple wear and tear and nothing can be done - just old age

I stick to rowing and cross trainers in the gym and I’m fine.

[millen]

Not sure what you mean by 'under the knees'. Behind the kneecap (patella)? Or in the load bearing meniscus/ cartilages? If the latter it may be a sign of incipient osteoarthritis and maybe best avoid any impact exercise like running/ jogging. Knee surgeon told me running puts 5-6x your body weight through the knee. Yes there are surgical solutions but none are pleasant so if you can limit further deterioration that's a good idea. I'd go see a good sports physio/ osteo for proper diagnosis.
www.kneeguru.co.uk is a good resource once you learn you way around it.