How much weight to lift?

[somuchpain1979]

I am currently doing physio on my own per my doctor's recommendation to try and "fix" my patellafemoral maltracking,impingement, and chondromalacia. They have me doing straight leg lifts, 20 degree bent lifts, and quad curls. How much weight should I lift? I am currently up to 6 pounds per leg and was just wondering how do I know when to increase the weight without doing more damage or pushing too hard?

[TwoBadKneesUSA]

I usually go up in weight when it feels too easy with the weight I have.  If I can do all the reps and do not feel tired or the muscles are not tired, then I try a half pound or pound more the next time.  Are you seeing a PT?  If so you can ask him/her for advise.  As always if there is lots of pain or sharp pain, back off or stop.

As for how much weight, I have used up to 10 pounds per leg in the past.  You should ask your doc or a PT about it though. 

Best of luck.

Milly

[tanyap]

Im on 20 pounds for straight leg lifts and partial leg extensions (im not sure what a curl is).
Physio tells me you can safetly add 1 kilo a week (thats 2.2 pounds to me and you) - but that you should always feel what youre on is 'easy' before going up in weight. Youve gotta be able to perform the exercise slowly, with full control, and no cheating , before you increase the weight.

At one point in life i was up on 36 pounds for leg extensions, but i was literally getting my leg swinging and then swinging to maximum extension, and letting down by dropping - no control at all - thats how NOT to use weights