Knee Pain - Running

gshoemaker06

Whenever I run around 5 miles or more I tend to get knee pain in my left knee only. It wasn't anything too bad, but since I'm doing a half-marathon in October I wanted to try to tackle this problem.

I went to a running store and told them my issue. They analyzed my walk/run and fitted me for new shoes (Nike structured +15). I ran 4.5 miles yesterday during my lunch hour and immediately felt the same pain in both knees.

1) Does anybody else have knee pains from running? What do you do to help?
2) Should I return my shoes? Part of me thinks they just need to break-in, but if I break them in and the knee pain is still there, it's too late to return them.

kaji13

Have you tried wearing a simple knee brace? I wear one on my left knee and it helps with pain. You can buy them anywhere - I got mine at CVS for maybe $12

bushidowoman

Bump. I've always shied away from running or other high impact activities because of knee pain, but I'd love to run with hubby if there is something I can do to correct it.

gshoemaker06

Have you tried wearing a simple knee brace? I wear one on my left knee and it helps with pain. You can buy them anywhere - I got mine at CVS for maybe $12

I tried the little patella band but it didn't do too much, the pain feels more on the side of the knee. I'm just now starting to get into longer mile runs so I'll try that out.

CarsonRuns

Where, exactly is the pain in the knee?
Does it only present itself after you have been running for a while?
Does the pain go away if you stop running?

ShannonMpls

Where is the pain at? Mine was on the outer side and below my kneecap. I got a foam roller and started rolling out my IT bands really well after each run. It's made an enormous difference for me. Apparently if those bands get tight, they can actually pull the kneecap out of alignment.

Rolling them hurts like nothing else but is worth it.

gomisskellygo

I would go to your doctor. I had a similar issue and I ignored it. Now, the MD thinks I have a torn meniscus. I had a MRI yesterday to confirm it. I just wouldn't take any chances and get it checked out. It might be nothing. Just more streching, icing, ect after your run.

Good luck!! And have fun at the half-marathon!

CarsonRuns

Where is the pain at? Mine was on the outer side and below my kneecap. I got a foam roller and started rolling out my IT bands really well after each run. It's made an enormous difference for me. Apparently if those bands get tight, they can actually pull the kneecap out of alignment.

Rolling them hurts like nothing else but is worth it.

Doesn't actually pull the knee out of alignment. There is a nerve that runs through that part of the knee that get's pinched by the IT band when the IT Band is too tight.

This is what I'm thinking the pain is too, based on the description so far. Easily treatable and you can run through it.

gshoemaker06

Where, exactly is the pain in the knee?
Does it only present itself after you have been running for a while?
Does the pain go away if you stop running?

It's on the outside towards the bottom. I can feel the bone on the side which doesn't hurt, then I roll my finger into the divot under there and that's where the pain is.

My knee normally doesn't hurt while I run. It hurts the day/2days after. This most previous time with the new shoes though, my knee started getting sore near the end of the run and immediately became sore when I got back to work.

skylark94

Get it looked at if you can afford to. I had to quit running entirely because of recurring pain on the side of my right knee. As soon as I can afford to get it looked at (no health insurance) I will, but I think the damage has been done.

CarsonRuns

Where, exactly is the pain in the knee?
Does it only present itself after you have been running for a while?
Does the pain go away if you stop running?

It's on the outside towards the bottom. I can feel the bone on the side which doesn't hurt, then I roll my finger into the divot under there and that's where the pain is.

My knee normally doesn't hurt while I run. It hurts the day/2days after. This most previous time with the new shoes though, my knee started getting sore near the end of the run and immediately became sore when I got back to work.

Yep. Certainly sounds like IT Band. Get a foam roller and roll that IT Band. Stretch the IT Band. Ice the area of the knee where the pain is. I'd also do a week of Vitamin I therapy (Ibuprofen). 2 pills, three times a day. You can continue to run, but I'd suggest stopping before you feel the pain come on for about 2 to 3 weeks, then try tacking on a little bit more to see if your treatment is fixing the issue. Also, if you have access to an ART practitioner, I highly recommend it. Here is a link to what ART is. It's a type of aggressive massage that has worked miracles for me on IT Band and Plantar Fasciitis. My practitioner is a chiropractor and physical therapist, so it's covered by insurance.

http://activereleasetechnique.com/

gshoemaker06

Yep. Certainly sounds like IT Band. Get a foam roller and roll that IT Band. Stretch the IT Band. Ice the area of the knee where the pain is. I'd also do a week of Vitamin I therapy (Ibuprofen). 2 pills, three times a day. You can continue to run, but I'd suggest stopping before you feel the pain come on for about 2 to 3 weeks, then try tacking on a little bit more to see if your treatment is fixing the issue. Also, if you have access to an ART practitioner, I highly recommend it. Here is a link to what ART is. It's a type of aggressive massage that has worked miracles for me on IT Band and Plantar Fasciitis. My practitioner is a chiropractor and physical therapist, so it's covered by insurance.

http://activereleasetechnique.com/

Thanks a lot for the help. Would a knee brace help with this issue? I don't see it hurting (no pun intended) but if it's with my IT band then I assume a knee brace would do nothing.

I'll definitely grab a roller and stretch it out after a light warm up

gpstrucker

I would highly recommend seeing a doctor, preferably one that specializes in sports medicine.

CarsonRuns

Yep. Certainly sounds like IT Band. Get a foam roller and roll that IT Band. Stretch the IT Band. Ice the area of the knee where the pain is. I'd also do a week of Vitamin I therapy (Ibuprofen). 2 pills, three times a day. You can continue to run, but I'd suggest stopping before you feel the pain come on for about 2 to 3 weeks, then try tacking on a little bit more to see if your treatment is fixing the issue. Also, if you have access to an ART practitioner, I highly recommend it. Here is a link to what ART is. It's a type of aggressive massage that has worked miracles for me on IT Band and Plantar Fasciitis. My practitioner is a chiropractor and physical therapist, so it's covered by insurance.

http://activereleasetechnique.com/

Thanks a lot for the help. Would a knee brace help with this issue? I don't see it hurting (no pun intended) but if it's with my IT band then I assume a knee brace would do nothing.

I'll definitely grab a roller and stretch it out after a light warm up

I've heard mixed reviews on the knee band type of brace that supposed to help with IT Band. I think that it's more of a band-aid than a real fix. The problem with the IT Band is not at the knee. The IT Band is a large tendon that flares out wide in the hip area. It's usually here or down the side of the thigh that the tightness occurs, the pain just manifests itself in the knee. If you can get the adhesions broken up along the band, it will relieve the pressure around the knee.

CarsonRuns

I would highly recommend seeing a doctor, preferably one that specializes in sports medicine.

While I appreciate the expertise of medical professionals, this sounds like a very common overuse injury from running. If the home treatment doesn't make it any better, or if it get's worse, then I agree with seeing a doctor. I don't think it necessary right now to go that route.

ShannonMpls

Where is the pain at? Mine was on the outer side and below my kneecap. I got a foam roller and started rolling out my IT bands really well after each run. It's made an enormous difference for me. Apparently if those bands get tight, they can actually pull the kneecap out of alignment.

Rolling them hurts like nothing else but is worth it.

Doesn't actually pull the knee out of alignment. There is a nerve that runs through that part of the knee that get's pinched by the IT band when the IT Band is too tight.

This is what I'm thinking the pain is too, based on the description so far. Easily treatable and you can run through it.

Thank you for clarifying! That actually makes more sense, much appreciated.