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[Shojiko]

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Edited September 26, 2020 by Shojiko

[TJ-Jitsu]

While I cant comment on your issue of switching styles, I can on the issue of knee pain.

Have you considered that you're overtraining and overworking your knees? You can do a workout that both improves your condition but damages your body- I know many a soldier who have severe knee problems at your age because they were so accustomed to 10 mile runs with 60lbs of equipment on their back. Your body cannot withstand such treatment over the years.

You also don't heal quite as fast at 31 as you did when you were 21....

As an alternative, if hypothetically the kicks are bothering your knees, focus on hand techniques for a bit and give your legs some rest. Karate isn't just kicks, eh?

Hope this helps...

[Shojiko]

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Edited September 26, 2020 by Shojiko

[mal103]

I used to run a lot to keep the cardio up, running on hard surfaces is no good for knees, although some people seem to keep it up.

I also found that bad technique was adding to the problem, not twisting the supporting leg during certain kicks meant that a certain amount of twist occurred in the knee. The other bad habit is flicking the lower leg out too fast during front kick, similar to getting elbow problems when flicking the forearm out in Uraken (back fist).

A change to technique is the best advise

[Wastelander]

I have a bad knee (completely dislocated it twice) but it has been improved by my karate training. Of course, we don't do such low stances as Shotokan, or as much air-kicking. I actually do know someone who switched from Shuri-Ryu (very similar to Shotokan) to Matsumura Seito Shorin-Ryu, specifically because of his knees. If you love Shotokan, and your instructor is willing to let you modify it to fit your limitations/health, then stick with it. If not, then you may need to switch. In the end, though, it's your own decision.

[Shojiko]

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Edited September 26, 2020 by Shojiko

[Nidan Melbourne]

Shotokan and some other styles of karate can do plenty of damage to your joints due to their hardness.

But if your sensei is willing to modify training then awesome.

If you feel like you should switch then shorin-ryu or even goju-ryu are good ones. There are some styles that still has some 'hardness' but also has plenty of 'softness' to them

[AmbientFire]

You might also want to consult a physical therapist/orthopedic specialist/ a professional that can look at your body alignment when in motion. Knee problems are sometimes caused not because something is happening to your knees specifically but because of posture, angle of your feet when you walk and run, etc.

[DaveB]

Gichin Funakoshi wrote that long stances are for beginners and he was right. There is no reason to do karate in long deep stances once your legs are strong and you understand the principles of movement and weight transfer that underlies such training.

Traditional Shotokan folks are often fixated on keeping things the same, but evolution of technique and practice are the only real ways to improve and stay healthy as we age.

[chrissyp]

I think Shotokan might actually be what tore my meniscus. It only gave me problems doing kata until it eventually popped.