How are you squatting? Technique is really important. I recommend watching some videos by Mark Rippetoe [1], and also filming your squats to review them. The low-bar back squat is a hip-dominant exercise, and when done properly should not put undue stress on the knees. [2]
I myself had _terrible_ knee pain from squatting. Then my knee started randomly buckling when I would walk.
So I started filming myself. I also used TUBOW [3] to figure out that my knees were drifting far too forward. I corrected my technique accordingly, and started engaging the hips properly. My knee pain went away and I've been pain-free ever since.
- [1] Learn to Squat, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhoikoUEI8U
- [2] Squats and Your Knees, https://startingstrength.com/article/squats-and-your-knees
- [3] Using the TUBOW with Mark Rippetoe, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-P_w6dpDC2I
I myself had _terrible_ knee pain from squatting. Then my knee started randomly buckling when I would walk.
So I started filming myself. I also used TUBOW [3] to figure out that my knees were drifting far too forward. I corrected my technique accordingly, and started engaging the hips properly. My knee pain went away and I've been pain-free ever since.