Knee Pain with Long-Distance Running

e_v_v

I've been running half and full marathons for about 5 years now. My body handles these distances fairly well, but my knees seem to feel the most stress (aka, "Runner's Knee," I would assume). My knees ache during and after nearly every run. I've gotten x-rays, ultrasounds, and MRI's--no knee problems.

Long distance runners: what do you do to combat, prevent, and/or treat your knee pain? Any diagnoses out there that I may be missing? I love running and don't want to hang it up because of sucky knees. I'm only 22!

scorpio516

When I was a teenager, my knees would get sore and I had no diagnosis either.
In my mid 20s when I started running again, I had no issues.

So that's no help. Nowadays, all my soreness and pain are symptoms of dead shoes.

yesimpson

Have you been to a sports physio/therapist at all? I see you've had scans to check the actual structures of your knee, but I sometimes get stiff achey knees which is a result of not stretching thoroughly and the muscles which attach around the knee get tight. Apparently it can affect the natural movement of the kneecap just enough to cause discomfort. The physio & massage therapist I see was able to persuade my horribly tight hamstrings and calves to relax which has helped sort out a bit of lingering discomfort from my last half, and she also gave me some stretches to do at home and advised me on some single-legged exercises to help keep the problem at bay.

I also find if I am regular with my foam rolling and strength training my knees and hips are much happier. Good cross-training, incorporating some low impact cardio like swimming or using the elliptical, is also good to give your knees a break but still be working on your endurance and using muscles differently to running.

Also, do you need a new pair of shoes?

e_v_v

yesimpson wrote: »

Have you been to a sports physio/therapist at all? I see you've had scans to check the actual structures of your knee, but I sometimes get stiff achey knees which is a result of not stretching thoroughly and the muscles which attach around the knee get tight. Apparently it can affect the natural movement of the kneecap just enough to cause discomfort. The physio & massage therapist I see was able to persuade my horribly tight hamstrings and calves to relax which has helped sort out a bit of lingering discomfort from my last half, and she also gave me some stretches to do at home and advised me on some single-legged exercises to help keep the problem at bay.

I also find if I am regular with my foam rolling and strength training my knees and hips are much happier. Good cross-training, incorporating some low impact cardio like swimming or using the elliptical, is also good to give your knees a break but still be working on your endurance and using muscles differently to running.

Also, do you need a new pair of shoes?

yesimpson wrote: »

Have you been to a sports physio/therapist at all? I see you've had scans to check the actual structures of your knee, but I sometimes get stiff achey knees which is a result of not stretching thoroughly and the muscles which attach around the knee get tight. Apparently it can affect the natural movement of the kneecap just enough to cause discomfort. The physio & massage therapist I see was able to persuade my horribly tight hamstrings and calves to relax which has helped sort out a bit of lingering discomfort from my last half, and she also gave me some stretches to do at home and advised me on some single-legged exercises to help keep the problem at bay.

I also find if I am regular with my foam rolling and strength training my knees and hips are much happier. Good cross-training, incorporating some low impact cardio like swimming or using the elliptical, is also good to give your knees a break but still be working on your endurance and using muscles differently to running.

Also, do you need a new pair of shoes?

Thank you for the helpful advice!

I just got fitted for a new pair of Brooks at a sports performance store that analyzed my gait, arches, etc.

BrianSharpe

Cross training & strength training specifically glutes, hips & core. It's not unusual fr weak hips / glutes to manifest themselves as knee pain.

runnersworld.com/workouts/glute-strengthening-workout

Aed0416

To piggy back on previous posters. . . Seeing a "good" pt completely altered my approach to supporting my running. Knee problems, and if you have knee pain regardless of an X-ray or MRI you have them, may not even originate in your knee. My "knee problem" was really an it band issue which was due to an injury to my hip, that I was completely unaware of. I did a lot of damage that took a good bit of time to heal and then fix. I now can maintain hip strength via exercises he gave me that take 10 minutes a couple of times a week. Not only do my knees feel better but my running has greatly improved. I wish I had started the process sooner.

My pt diagnosed my issue on the first visit. Seeking advice from a pt does not mean a huge time/ financial commitment.