Runners: Knee Pain?

bstamps12

I'm less than 2 weeks out from my first half marathon. I did my last long run this past Saturday (15 days before the HM). I was doing a fairly flat 5 miles yesterday and my left knee, which has never had problems before, started hurting incredibly bad. In the hundreds of miles I've run the past 6 months, I've never had to stop to walk a single time but this was excrutiating. I stopped and tried to stretch it out. I was going up a slight hill and about 1.5 miles from my car.

The pain started just under my kneecap on the right side of my left knee. I didn't feel any pain in the area on the back of my knee. It soon spread and was throbbing from about 2 inches above my knee to 2 inches below it, and to the sides of my knee as well. I didn't step weird, hadn't worn new shoes, or done anything out of the ordinary. I ended up having to hobble back to my car, trying to run but eventually giving in to just walking because the pain got so bad and my knee got so tight it wouldn't bend. Now it feels ok (still a dull pain) if the knee is straight, but hurts very bad if the knee is bent. I'm limping when I walk so I don't have to bend my knee.

What could this be? How do I treat it? A brace? Ice? I have been blessed enough to have only had minor shin splints over the past year since I started serious running so this is completely new to me.

marathonmom72

I started having some pain in a knee just a few weeks before my very first half. My trainer recommended a knee brace - no straps, open knee, and it has worked very well for me. The added support has eliminated pain and swelling for over a year now. HOWEVER; I think you ought to consider going to the doctor and getting an xray or mri to be sure that there isn't a serious injury. You don't want to make it worse. In the mean time, ice and ibuprofen are your friends. Hope you heal quickly!!!