Possible runner's knee...?

thebluewyvern

Hi all, I've only recently started running and I've already been sidelined due to pain! I thought I was taking things slowly enough but I guess I wasn't...

A little background...I've been very sedentary for about the past decade (I'm 38). Never had any knee injuries but since I had my daughter 3 years ago I've had a little trouble off and on with some minor right knee pain when going down stairs mostly...a sharp pain with a feeling here and there like my knee was about to give way. When I started running recently the pain was not present. I was fitted for shoes and insoles (Mizuno Inspires) from a local running store back in 2011 when I was 20 pounds heavier but the shoes are mint since I never got round to running until now. I'm now 140 pounds at 5 foot 9 so not overweight, just extremely out of shape. I naturally have a shorter stride and land on my midfoot under my center of gravity with my knees slightly bent. I started by going out for 20 minutes one evening, warming up for a couple minutes with brisk walking, then running for one minute only and then walking until I caught my breath, repeating for the 20 minutes then cooling down by walking for the last couple minutes. I rested the next day and did some squats, lunges and planks. The next morning I ran again for another 20 minutes, doing the same intervals as the first run. I did not rest the next day, but went for another run the next evening (34 hours later) but did 30 minutes that time. My legs were somewhat sore that night but not horrible, and by the next day I was fine. I rested for the next two days...then on my next run the moment I started actually running I had severe pain in both of my knees. I was shocked because up until that moment I was feeling fine. It was so bad I could only run for about 30 seconds at a time, for 2 minutes total. I walked the rest of the way home. By the time I got home the pain was gone, but then both knees started hurting by that evening. Now it's been three days since then and my knees, especially my left, are STILL hurting! Its mostly right under my kneecaps but toward the inner part of my knees. Sometimes it's dull and throbbing, other times it's sharp. I have a hard time walking at times and stairs are killing me. They are tender to the touch and the left one feels a bit warm too. Sometimes the area on the left one feels extremely itchy and almost burns, this started yesterday. I've been icing them and taking ibuprofen, and trying not to walk crazy amounts. Is this runners knee? I thought runners knee only hurt when actually running or going on stairs, etc., but mine hurt most of the time. I'm really down because I was so excited to start running and I can't believe this has happened so quickly. Should I go see a doctor? What can I do to help this go away and stay away once I start running again? I don't see how I can take it much slower...I was already hardly running lol...

Sorry for the novel. I'm just looking for some answers/hope...

julie_emma1

Definitely go see a doctor.

joanna_82

I would go and see your doctor. Sounds a bit too intense for runners knee or to be caused by your new shoes, I would definitely get it checked out.

Good luck!

gotolam

Bursitis.

EverSinging

Sounds like it could be runner's knee. I work through the same thing, but over time it has improved with weight loss (aided by running of course). I also found some relief from kinesio tape. Definitely your best bet is to see a doctor and get it checked out. Also, make sure you have good shoes! #1 most important thing to make running successful IMHO. Go to a specialty running store and have them watch your gait and fit you. Your needs might be different now. Also, avoid running hills, at least until you've been diagnosed officially. I typically walk down hills. If I don't, my knees let me know they don't appreciate it later.

thebluewyvern

Thanks so much for the input everyone. I'm going to make an appointment to see a doctor then. And thanks for mentioning bursitis Gotolam...I looked that up and frankly my symptoms seem to match pes anserine bursitis to a tee. They say tight hamstrings are often the trigger for that and after doing a little self test I found my hamstrings to be reeeeeaaaally tight. I'll see what the doc says.

thebluewyvern

Thought I'd provide an update in case this might end up helping anyone else...saw a doctor and I was told I have both runner's knee AND pes anserine bursitis. The pain has gotten so bad that I can barely walk at times but ibuprofen does help. I was told to continue icing, elevating and taking ibuprofen until the pain subsides, then to start stretching and strengthening before attempting to slowly get back into running. Bummed but hopefully the inflammation is finally at its zenith and will soon start feeling better.