Knee pain - have you had this kind?

MereMe

(sorry this is lengthy!)
Background: I am toward the end of training for a 10k so I can generally run about 4 miles. I also do cardio several times a week and strength train with weights up to 20 lbs 5 days a week. I bagan working out and up to this routine last July.

16 years ago, I was active in drill team in highschool and was diagnosed with "runner's knee" (which is ironic because until last year, the furtherest I have ever run is from one end of the basketball court to the other). Pain I experienced then was a "grinding" of my knee cap and femur and my kkneecap would shift out of place. Wearing a brace did help alot.

Fast forward to a few months back: I started out walking on a tread mill. At my gym at that time, there were only 2 and "mine" was jacked up. Once we started c25k and I jogged on it, I experienced SEVERE pain and swelling. (I should add here that I don't have insurance so I have avoided a doctor's visit for a bit) I backed off and when we ran again, I worke double braces - a snug one with patella support and a hinged one on top. All was gravy - more or less. Running could be done with minimal pain, but once the braces were off for the rest of the day, my knee cap kinda felt funny - and not "right".

And most recently - I haven't run or anything for about 2 weeks due to my workout partner being sick and such (and I am codependent!). I walked a ton this weekend while out of town with pretty heavy pain and swelling and my kneecap kep feeling like it was pushing BACKWARDS (no knee brace while on my trip). I tried to jog yesterday on the treadmill at my new gym (which seems to work just fine) and oh my! Killer! My kneecap kept feeling like it was pushing backward with each stride. I pulled about 10 minutes of running before I had to quit. This pain isn't what I have been having for months - totally new and I can't push through it.

Anyone else had this? Had it diagnosed? Had it treated?

*thanks in advance!*

em9371

Sounds quite like the issues I've been having with my knee, dr said its damage to cartilage behind knee. At first it didn't hurt, just clicked a bit, now it's swollen just to the inside of the kneecap and I can't fully straighten or bend my leg without pain! I had no problems all the time I was running or other exercise, it just came on the Tuesday when I had run Saturday and done boxing / weights Monday, so not sure exactly what has caused it.
Dr recommended light exercise only - swimming and walking. This seemed to aggravate it do have been on total rest last 2 weeks and due back at dr next week. They said it will take a long time to heal as cartilage has a poor blood supply, I've been on glucosamine supplements which are meant to help with cartilage / joints.
I seriously hope it improves soon I've had to give up everything I was doing at gym and it's driving me nuts, don't want to permanently damage myself though!!
If I were you I'd lay off the running, and see a dr if possible, running with injuries generally just makes them worse!

CarrieBeard

Doesn't sound good! Might need to rest (& ice) it for a while. I ended up with a stress fracture from jogging (on treadmill) :sad:
One of our forestry techs just had surgery for pains that sound simular to yours.

Hope you feel better soon. Try other exercises....non weight ... swimming, maybe exercise bike??