So I DDR'ed and hurt my knee pretty badly....

[Bludjinni]

I was DDR'ing for the first time this weekend. I do have a year of Stepmania experience, which is why I attempted a Heavy for fun very quickly. I was already worn out a little, so I was having a hard time, but at the end of the song I suddenly noticed how my right knee would not support me anymore, and within 10 minutes it hurt horribly and I couldn't walk without limping badly anymore.

Now (one day later), it's less or more okay, I can at least walk on it although it still stings when I hold my leg in certain angles. I was wondering, though, if anyone else experienced this. I never felt any pain during the game, only afterwards. Also, maybe noteworthy, I do tend to play a lot on my toes when the steps are fast. Shouldn't I? What did I do wrong? I have never had any knee problems in my entire life, although my ankles have always been rather weak.

[Szalkow]

Well, DDR can be a fairly intense game. Based on your description of your injury, it seems you have jammed or overextended your knee. The most likely cause of this is that you did some awkward jumps or weight shifts (which are especially common during Heavier songs) - if you had to do any short hops which resulted in you landing with all your weight on one knee, that can cause injury.

Playing on your toes is fine, and as long as you have the ankle strength it is probably much better for your timing and PA/MA. No problem there.

For now, avoid playing any Heavy songs or songs with lots of airs until your knee gets better. If you still want to play during recovery, your best bet is to play Light/Standard songs in one-foot format... stand on your strong leg and tap out all your steps with your other foot, and shift weight briefly if you need to hit a Left arrow. Playing Light will also allow you to improve your timing and rhythm.

I would also do some work on Standard songs first, so that you can become better acclimatized to keeping your weight centered and planning your steps. Doing some mild calf, ankle, and thigh stretches before play can also prevent injury.

I've never injured myself while playing DDR, although I have played for several weeks with shinsplints and once with a broken tarsal bone. And weak ankles aren't a concern, you just need some practice playing on your toes.

[shakesoda]

Join the club.

I did the same thing a few months ago and it's still not totally better.

At least it's good enough now that I can play again though (as much as before).

( http://shakesoda.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=336#336 - when it happened)

It's severely understated there, I could barely walk for the next 3 or 4 days.

[Bludjinni]

Lol, well, the heavy I did was not even something like Blue Army, it was much easier (thank god) but it was pretty intense for me, since I am not used at all to DDR. It was really frustrating and bizarre to be able to read and play the arrows, but my body simply not being able to handle the intensity of mediums and the heavies..

Thank you very much for your replies. There were rather awkward hops in that heavy, so that might be the reason.

I won't be tempted to DDR for at least a month, since I don't have a DDR mat of my own yet - I played DDR on an anime convention. ^^"

[Drayne O.]

i'd suggest starting from standard maybe or light, then work your way up on pad, cuz if you've never played pad before, then you might do something like that

cuz ive twisted my ankles way too many times playing songs that are way too hard for me, and ive only hurt myself like that once, and after that i toned it down, built up my stamina, then got onto harder songs

push your limits, but not too often, or too much, that way you cant hurt yourself, or get so exauhsted for the rest of the day

because you get better by pushing your limits, dont push them too often, cuz thats how i keep hurting myself, and dont push them too far, or you'll really regret it.

Bottom line: Start at lowerr difficulties (not too low) and build up your stamina so you're not as tired as you go on.

[Tr4n515t0r]

I still havn't gotten a chance to play on a metal pad yet. ='( Long lines at the con I went too, eh, maybe some day. I can have a feeling its gunna freak me out being in shoes while doing it, I can feel myself slipping up now and messing up.

[Bludjinni]

I still havn't gotten a chance to play on a metal pad yet. ='( Long lines at the con I went too, eh, maybe some day. I can have a feeling its gunna freak me out being in shoes while doing it, I can feel myself slipping up now and messing up.

Similar, I'm freaking about doing it without shoes on on my to come soft pad. :p I'm feeling myself slip already.

[david.ross]

Don't drink any coffee, it makes joints stiff. I'd go see a doctor and make you sure didn't tear anything. Sounds like you strained a muscle. If you must have caffeine, drink green or oolong tea. ;)

[Bludjinni]

I hate coffee, don't worry. xD The only caffeine I get is from coke and tea.

My knee is okay now, I can move it freely again, just taking a break from DDR and taking it really easy when I get a pad. If it happens again, I'll make sure to check with a doctor.

Thanks for the advice. ^^

[kurisu]

Bananas are good to eat before and after you play.

Trust me.