Just a little worrying knee trouble...

common_housecat

I remember the first time I hurt my knee. I was sitting in a chair -- right leg over left -- and I swiveled to the right. I sat like that, with my left leg bent over to the right, for a while. When I went to get up and walk it felt like my knee had come unhinged. It was like it had turned into a ball and socket joint and wanted to swing around. It hurt very badly at first but it gradually got better over the next few days.

I've done things similar to that a couple more times since then. It always hurts the joint (or whatever) on the inside of my leg. You know, like the side closest to my right leg? (I know this is confusing. I apologize.)

Now I've started running, and its great! I love me some c25k and I can feel my legs getting stronger and stronger. But twice now I've been running and felt that familiar swinging-pain. It isn't very bad and it stops as soon as I finish my run, but I'm worried. I don't want to hurt my knee and not be able to run anymore!

Has anyone experienced this kind of pain before? Any advice is more than welcome. :flowerforyou:

Thanks.
-- A common housecat

jsmillermt

I have not had that kind of pain, but I highly recommend you go in and have a doctor or physical therapist look at it before you continue. I ignored a weird ankle pain several years ago, and it doesn't go away. Eventually, I could barely walk without pain, and the running had to stop. Then I was sedentary again for about six years. I still feel it twinge occasionally. Sometimes walk-in clinics have inexpensive rates, if you don't have insurance or worry about deductibles and co-pays. I think it is worth getting the professional advice.

common_housecat

I have not had that kind of pain, but I highly recommend you go in and have a doctor or physical therapist look at it before you continue. I ignored a weird ankle pain several years ago, and it doesn't go away. Eventually, I could barely walk without pain, and the running had to stop. Then I was sedentary again for about six years. I still feel it twinge occasionally. Sometimes walk-in clinics have inexpensive rates, if you don't have insurance or worry about deductibles and co-pays. I think it is worth getting the professional advice.

Thank you for the advice. :L That is definitely what I want to avoid. I hope you found a way to work with it and feel better!

furrina

One really important thing to make sure of: HAVE GOOD RUNNING SHOES. Don't keep running in old ones and make sure you get good quality ones that are right for you. Replace often. It's worth the $ and very often the culprit/solution in the case of mild "runner's knee" and hip problems. Also, make *sure* you strengthen the muscles around your knees (hamstrings, quads, etc.) with weights,
http://www.livestrong.com/article/110070-exercises-build-muscles-around-knee/
And make sure you stretch them.

jsmillermt

One really important thing to make sure of: HAVE GOOD RUNNING SHOES. Don't keep running in old ones and make sure you get good quality ones that are right for you. Replace often. It's worth the $ and very often the culprit/solution in the case of mild "runner's knee" and hip problems. Also, make *sure* you strengthen the muscles around your knees (hamstrings, quads, etc.) with weights,
http://www.livestrong.com/article/110070-exercises-build-muscles-around-knee/
And make sure you stretch them.

Yeah, that too. And I HIGHLY recommend you go to an actual running store for shoes. I did, and it makes a world of difference. They look at your gate, the wear pattern on your shoes to see if you pronate, etc., check your arch... There are so many things that go into finding the right pair of shoes that I never even thought about. I love mine. (I am ruunning again, by the way, and have managed to stay injury-free so far.)

common_housecat

One really important thing to make sure of: HAVE GOOD RUNNING SHOES. Don't keep running in old ones and make sure you get good quality ones that are right for you. Replace often. It's worth the $ and very often the culprit/solution in the case of mild "runner's knee" and hip problems. Also, make *sure* you strengthen the muscles around your knees (hamstrings, quads, etc.) with weights,
http://www.livestrong.com/article/110070-exercises-build-muscles-around-knee/
And make sure you stretch them.

Thank you so much! That's a great article. And it may very well be my shoes. I just run in a REALLY old pair of New Balance. They're super comfy but I guess that doesn't make them the best running shoe...

common_housecat

One really important thing to make sure of: HAVE GOOD RUNNING SHOES. Don't keep running in old ones and make sure you get good quality ones that are right for you. Replace often. It's worth the $ and very often the culprit/solution in the case of mild "runner's knee" and hip problems. Also, make *sure* you strengthen the muscles around your knees (hamstrings, quads, etc.) with weights,
http://www.livestrong.com/article/110070-exercises-build-muscles-around-knee/
And make sure you stretch them.

Yeah, that too. And I HIGHLY recommend you go to an actual running store for shoes. I did, and it makes a world of difference. They look at your gate, the wear pattern on your shoes to see if you pronate, etc., check your arch... There are so many things that go into finding the right pair of shoes that I never even thought about. I love mine. (I am ruunning again, by the way, and have managed to stay injury-free so far.)

I'll definitely have to do that when I can save up the funds. Thanks again for the help. I'm so glad that you've been able to get back to running. I hope you stay uninjured.

furrina

One really important thing to make sure of: HAVE GOOD RUNNING SHOES. Don't keep running in old ones and make sure you get good quality ones that are right for you. Replace often. It's worth the $ and very often the culprit/solution in the case of mild "runner's knee" and hip problems. Also, make *sure* you strengthen the muscles around your knees (hamstrings, quads, etc.) with weights,
http://www.livestrong.com/article/110070-exercises-build-muscles-around-knee/
And make sure you stretch them.

Yeah, that too. And I HIGHLY recommend you go to an actual running store for shoes. I did, and it makes a world of difference. They look at your gate, the wear pattern on your shoes to see if you pronate, etc., check your arch... There are so many things that go into finding the right pair of shoes that I never even thought about. I love mine. (I am ruunning again, by the way, and have managed to stay injury-free so far.)

Yes, meant to add that. Go to a reputable running store where they'll fit you for shoes.