It this ITBS?

Calliope610

I apologize in advance for the length of this post. I want to include any and all information that may be pertinent to my situation.

I started walked as my primary exercise in December 2012 weighing 232lbs. I started walking about 3/4mile at 2.2mph and increased the distance and speed every 2-3 weeks. Since then, I have lost 40lbs and increased my distance to daily walks of 2.5-4 miles and weekly 6-7 miles hikes on Saturday at 3.8-4.0mph.

In mid fall 2013 (I was by then walking 2-3 miles daily), I noticed extreme wear patterns on the outside on my shoes. I did a bit of online research and determined that I "supinate". I was also interested in starting a C25K program and decided (rightfully so) that I should get the proper shoes before I attempted running in earnest. I was also starting to experience some discomfort on the outside on my knees while walking/jogging. Once again I turned to the internet to research the type of shoe (brand/model) that would be right for me. I live in a rural area (Walmart is the only shopping venue for 35+ miles), so I wasn't able to find what I wanted locally. It wasn't until the Christmas holidays when I went to Houston that I had an opportunity to go to a proper running store and get fitted by a professional. I purchased a pair of New Balance shoes that felt great from the first step and got back to training C25K.

I resumed C25K at the same intensity as before with the old shoes. The first thing I noticed was that my hamstrings were tight and my muscles would be stiff after sitting for a short while. I just figured that my hamstrings and other soft tissue was unaccustomed to the new manner of walking mechanics I had acquired by wearing properly fitted shoes. I thought that with time, my muscles would "catch up" to the training intensity and the tightness would resolve itself. But it didn't, so I started stretching after my workouts and that seemed to alleviate the stiffness. So, of course, with the problem resolved, I slacked off the stretching, and the problem resurfaced.

Last Saturday, I did W2D2 of C25K on a jogging trail and did quite nicely. Tuesday I did W3D1 on pavement and toward the end on the run, I felt more intense discomfort. Since I realized my problem was not resolved, I once again turned to the internet and was advised by several sources to use a foam roller. I took it easy this week, only walking maybe a real slow 1/2 or 1mile one afternoon.

Yesterday I was in Austin, went to a running store, purchased a foam roller and was shown how to use it and also shown more stretches. I thought surely I was on the path the running once again. Although I had been standing for several hours and doing some leisurely walking, I felt that I really hadn't "overdone" anything and I would start using the roller and all would be fine.

However, when I climbed the 3 steps to my front porch upon arriving at my house, something twisted, pulled or popped in my left knee and I felt intense pair. I managed to hobble through the front door and collapse on the couch. With the help of a cane, I was able to move around the house and fix an ice pack. I rested my knee with an ice pack, took some extra strength ibuprofen and then went to bed. In the middle of the night I again iced my knee and took more pain med.

I can walk with help of a cane, but my knee hurts when I put weight on it. I can straighten my leg with no pain and slightly bend it pain free. But when I bend my knee at a 45degree angle or better, it hurts like the ****ens. I plan to stay off the leg today, keep icing it as necessary, but told my husband if it doesn't start feeling better by this afternoon, he may have to take me to the ER.


Again, sorry this is so long.... Does this sound like ITBS? Or maybe something more? Other than a visit to the ER or doctor, is there anything else I should be doing? I plan to lay off the walking for a couple of weeks and just focus on using the roller and stretches.

Any comments and/or suggestions are GREATLY appreciated. Cuz I really want to be a runner!!

Calliope610

That's funny. MFP won't let me say "hurts like the d*ckens". :laugh:

gypsy_spirit

I have sporadic knee pain (in shots that immediately go away) usually when I am pivoting - never when running/walking. In to see the advice you get.

As a good friend on MFP told me - you already are a runner. Hang in there. :flowerforyou:

ZenInTexas

I don't think this sounds like ITBS. Not the way you describe a sudden POP and then pain. Not at all. Let me do some research and get back to you on this.

Will_Thrust_For_Candy

I agree with Zenin. Up until the point when you had a pop and immediate pain I was on board with ITBS. Give it lots of rest and lots of ice and if the pain is not subsiding within about 48 hours it's time to see the doctor.

SunofaBeach14

Go to a doctor. Preferably find a orthopedist who specializes in knees with a sports medicine background. Knee injuries are nothing to screw around with or try to diagnose yourself.

Dgydad

First: see an orthopedic specialist about your knee! If you have damaged it, it may be easily repaired - now. If you continue, repair may be greatly complicated or impossible. I've had some knee issues, and I've assisted my wife through 2 total knee replacements. Please don't muck around with this!
If you had the beginnings of an issue with your knees BEFORE you began the running, it may well be the "tipping point" that made the problem noticeable. You may not be able to sustain a running program at your current weight and/or joint condition.
Second: schedule a dedicated excursion if you must, but go, at least once, to a footwear store that specializes in outfitting runners. They can properly analyze your gait and stride, and recommend the proper shoes for you. Its possible that you can learn enough from one such session to enable you to identify and purchase footwear elsewhere w/o expert assistance in the future.
FWIW, you waited WAY too long to replace the first shoes you mentioned. When your athletic shoes show obvious, advanced physical wear, they're actually long past the point they should have been replaced, in most cases....

BrianSharpe

I'm with the others on seeking medical advice.

Typically with ITBS you will feel the pain on the outside & bottom of your kneecap along with a feeling of tightness down the outside of your hamstring (hence the stretching & foam rolling). But you don't usually get a "pop"........is the pain on the back of your knee? This is a shot in the dark but (if the pain was in the back of your knee) it may be something called a baker's cyst.

In any event, see an ortho or a sports medicine specialist and deal with any issues before they get worse.

Galatea_Stone

Go to a doctor. Preferably find a orthopedist who specializes in knees with a sports medicine background. Knee injuries are nothing to screw around with or try to diagnose yourself.

You need an orthopedist. Do that first.

Then you need to do some exercises to strengthen your glutes. Glute bridges, just body weight, will do you some good and will be gentle on you. A strengthened glute will take pressure off your psoas, your IT bands and your sciatic nerve. It will also help with knees.

I spent a week in bed last year with an enflamed psoas and IT bands. Glute work made the pain go away.

Calliope610

For clarification, there really wasn't a "pop".

I was gingerly going up the front steps to my porch, gingerly because I was feeling a tightness/stiffness in my legs, kind of a achy '"tingeness" in my knee and attributed that to driving for over an hour. When I put my weight on my left leg, I felt a immediate pain and I almost took me down. A few moments to get over the pain and I hobbled into the house under my own power.

I am going to RICE the knee today and if things aren't noticeably better tomorrow (or get worse today), I will make an appointment with a sports specialist.

Thank you for all the suggestions. I definitely want to give this the proper treatment because I really do want to be a runner. Not just in spirit, but in miles and pace.

graceire

I have ITBS, and this doesn't sound like what you described. Symptoms probably vary, of course, but a doctor is definitely in order.