Running with bad knees

carly_am

Hi guys,

So I used to swim competitively from the age of about 10-16 and I believe that is what started off my 'bad' knees. At first it was assumed they were just growing pains but I'm now 23 and they still hurt from time to time!

I've been doing a bit of research into why they hurt, what it is etc and the pain is an achy pain above and underneath my kneecap. My knees also crunch and grind sometimes. It sounds like 'runners knee' although I plan to make an appointment with my doctor to get professional advice.

In the mean time though I wondered if anyone could share their experience/knowledge with me.

I am doing c25k and am due to do the second day of week 1 today. I did it on Wednesday and afterwards my knees hurt a bit and have been a bit crunchy/grindy when I walk since.

I walk about 60 mins a day, usually in trainers. When I wear certain pairs of boots my knees hurt. The other exercise I do are body pump and kettlebell classes so mainly strength training but body pump involves some jumps, squats etc.

Should I do c25k tonight? I don't want to cause lasting damage but need to get my exercise in for the day.

Sorry this is a bit rambley but basically I just would like some advice on what I should do and can do to help.

Thanks

I am currently 5'7 and weigh 148lbs.

ValerieMomof2

That crunchy grinding in your knees sounds needs to be evaluated by an ortho first. It sounds like chondromalacia/PFD to me and there are things you can do to help that but first you need a proper eval, then a referral to a Physical therapist to help. You can still exercise but there are certain things to avoid and certain things that will help. Generally swimming is good on the knees so there may be something biomechanical going on. If you continue to work out, focus on upper body with strength training and avoid leg extensions/full squats/lunges until you get evaled. Ice after you workout

AbbyLynne2246

When I couldn't run anymore because of joint pain, I moved to Zumba. Low impact cardio.
See your doctor about your knees though. It's always better to get a doctor to help reduce injury since you probably want to be using your knees in the future.

thebuz

I am in the same boat and almost finished c25k and ran my first 5 k on New Year's Day. I bought sleeve style knee braces in week 2 and have been fine since. I recommend trying that along with visit to doctor to determine cause. Strongly recommend strength training ALL muscles in your leg to assist balance.

Sabine_Stroehm

That crunchy grinding in your knees sounds needs to be evaluated by an ortho first. It sounds like chondromalacia/PFD to me and there are things you can do to help that but first you need a proper eval, then a referral to a Physical therapist to help. You can still exercise but there are certain things to avoid and certain things that will help. Generally swimming is good on the knees so there may be something biomechanical going on. If you continue to work out, focus on upper body with strength training and avoid leg extensions/full squats/lunges until you get evaled. Ice after you workout

This. When/if you DO decide with your doc that you can run, go to a PROPER running store and have your gait analyzed and get shoes that work best with your biomechanics.
I gave up running in my 20s due to knee problems.
I run now, about 15-20 miles a week with no knee problems.

MinnieInMaine

I would listen to my body and skip the C25K. There are tons of other exercises you can do besides that! Go for a walk and/or do some calisthenics at home (sit-ups, push-ups, etc).

gp79

Why do it if it hurts? Running is only one form of exercise.

xidia

Get medical advice

Get proper running shoes (seriously - the difference is amazing)

Subject to medical advice, strengthen muscles through squats (which work more groups than weight machines do) cycling, swimming, and anything else you can do without unpleasant pain. After a summer of running and three weeks of squats, I felt confidence standing up on a bike for the first time in a decade - my knee problem is a genetically weak cruciatus ligament, but strengthening the surrounding muscles seems to have solved that.