Running and knee pain - when and how to start back up?

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ShannonMpls
ShannonMpls Posts: 1,936 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
A week and a half ago, I set out on a 6 mile run. Around two miles in, I sidestepped something on the trail, felt a bit of overextension in my knees, and a few strides later pain set into both knees, worse in one than the other. The pain is in the front, sort of over and below my kneecap.

I slowed to a walk for about a 1/4 mile, tried again, and after a few strides the pain was back, so I walked back. No pain while walking, on the elliptical, biking, spinning, etc. The only time I feel this pain is sometimes walking down stairs or doing rear lunges...not always, just very occasionally.

I haven't attempted running since then, but I'm wondering
1) when to try again
2) how to start back up - maybe just a half mile on a treadmill? a mile outside?

Thoughts? (have not seen a doctor - figured I'd rest from running and see how it goes before going in)

Thanks in advance.

Replies

  • sc1572
    sc1572 Posts: 2,309 Member
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    Talk to a doctor...I hurt my knee in a car accident in March and was off running for a month. Was cleared to run again, and now am back at the doc for more pains. Once again, off running. Get it checked out! :(
  • geordiegirl27
    geordiegirl27 Posts: 307 Member
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    Definitely need to get some professional advise and maybe some treatment, but to answer the question in the meantime I have a lot of problems with my right knee (patella tendonitits) and the advise I was given from my fizz was to build up slowly so I could run say 1 mile and if i had no pain afterwards and was ok the next day then I could run the next time slightly longer. The aim was to build up to running without it causing me pain afterwards.

    This doesn't take away the need for professional help so book an appointment at your GP's and ask for a referral or book to see someone privately if you can, hope it is healed for you soon
  • mszebra
    mszebra Posts: 94
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    I would rest it a bit more- and slowly try and ease back into it. If you still have pain, I'd see the doc. I had some knee pain that would not go away after a half marathon and ended up getting my knee scoped to remove some damaged (thankfully not torn) cartilage.

    Good luck! And don't run through the pain!
  • ShannonMpls
    ShannonMpls Posts: 1,936 Member
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    Talk to a doctor...I hurt my knee in a car accident in March and was off running for a month. Was cleared to run again, and now am back at the doc for more pains. Once again, off running. Get it checked out! :(

    What kind of doctor does a person even see for this? I've got a GP and midwife and I don't think either of them could help ;)
  • ShannonMpls
    ShannonMpls Posts: 1,936 Member
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    I would rest it a bit more- and slowly try and ease back into it. If you still have pain, I'd see the doc. I had some knee pain that would not go away after a half marathon and ended up getting my knee scoped to remove some damaged (thankfully not torn) cartilage.

    Good luck! And don't run through the pain!

    Thanks, and I will NOT run through pain! If they hurt, run is aborted, no questions asked.
  • stubbysticks
    stubbysticks Posts: 1,275 Member
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    See your Dr to be on the safe side. I sprained a knee once and had to do non-weight-bearing exercise for 6 weeks, but at that point was able to gradually work my way back into running. Especially since you've got pain in both, get them checked out.

    Eta: i just went to my GP.
  • redfroggie
    redfroggie Posts: 591 Member
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    Get with your GP and get a referral to an Orthopaedic specialist! Good luck, and yeah curb the running for a bit.
  • Phaedra2014
    Phaedra2014 Posts: 1,254 Member
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    Talk to a doctor...I hurt my knee in a car accident in March and was off running for a month. Was cleared to run again, and now am back at the doc for more pains. Once again, off running. Get it checked out! :(

    What kind of doctor does a person even see for this? I've got a GP and midwife and I don't think either of them could help ;)

    A physiatrist is your best bet. Orthos are useless unless you have a broken bone.
  • TexasRattlesnake
    TexasRattlesnake Posts: 375 Member
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    Pretty common for ACL/PCL injuries to happen to people. Based on what you're describing with the bearing weight issues I'd say it's likely to be your ACL (particularly with the sudden change of direction being the immediate cause). Depending on the severity of the injury, your doctor could recommend OTC anti-inflammatories, to physical therapy, to surgery.

    I'd guess it's not likely to be a serious injury since it only hurts when attempting more strenuous weight bearing activities. The fact you felt pain when it happened indicates you should go see your Dr. for a more firm diagnosis and treatment plan. If you can't/don't want to go see your physician, you should use crutches when walking, 20 minutes of ice on the area now and then. ibuprofen, and keep it elevated.

    All that aside, recommend your Dr. looking at it. If your knee feels unstable (think shifty, not locked into place like normal) you need to go see them sooner rather than later so they can order MRI or X-Ray. ultrasound, etc. and get a look inside.
  • ShannonMpls
    ShannonMpls Posts: 1,936 Member
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    Thanks, all!
  • Elleinnz
    Elleinnz Posts: 1,661 Member
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    Shannon - personally I would go and see a Physical Therapist - or a physio as we call them here in New Zealand - they deal with knees, muscles etc on a daily basis, and in my experience have much more knowledge than a GP the does not deal with that type of stuff all the time....

    If they think you need to see a GP or ortho they will tell you....
  • mszebra
    mszebra Posts: 94
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    I went to my GP to get a referral to an ortho.

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