Knee problem messing up my running

Graelwyn75
Graelwyn75 Posts: 4,404 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I did a run of about three or four days doing 5-8k on the treadmill and my right knee started hurting underneath and gravitating to the inside area. I did fall on it many years ago while rollerskating, think decades ago, but until now, other than the occasional twinge, it had been fine. I did change my trainers recently from an old pair of Adidas to new balance and had been doing more running as I enjoy it. Anyone have any idea what I might have done and if it will just heal with rest, without needing trips to a doctor and goodness knows what else ?

Bending it does not hurt. It is the unbending bit that hurts. Really frustrated, and feeling like a decrepit old woman with all the various injuries I have had recently.

Replies

  • mjeischen
    mjeischen Posts: 3
    I will be interested to hear your results. I've suffered the exact same pain.

    I've been put my running at every other day which has helped. I did change my shoes also which is more comfy but the pain is still there if I go too hard day after day.

    As a result of my running every other day and craving to burn the same amount of calories I'm looking for other options for big burns.
  • froeschli
    froeschli Posts: 1,293 Member
    are you doing strength training along with the running? apparently most women have an imbalance of strength between the front leg muscles and the back (which are about half as strong as they should be), which makes them more prone to knee injuries. (yay, i just read about that.)
    if you didn't injure it outright, you should be ok with resting it (twice as long as it takes to stop hurting.). then build up your running again slowly. maybe have a look at those shoes...
    of course, if the pain gets worse, or doesnt diminish over a couple of days, you might want to see a doc.
  • haanmom
    haanmom Posts: 90 Member
    Look into IT Band Syndrome and see if it fits your symptoms. My husband, who has no history of knee problems, occasionally suffers from pain in his knee related to his IT band when he increases his running mileage too quickly.
  • Graelwyn75
    Graelwyn75 Posts: 4,404 Member
    are you doing strength training along with the running? apparently most women have an imbalance of strength between the front leg muscles and the back (which are about half as strong as they should be), which makes them more prone to knee injuries. (yay, i just read about that.)
    if you didn't injure it outright, you should be ok with resting it (twice as long as it takes to stop hurting.). then build up your running again slowly. maybe have a look at those shoes...
    of course, if the pain gets worse, or doesnt diminish over a couple of days, you might want to see a doc.

    Yes I do strength training and put the stationary bike at a high resistance to workout the leg muscles. I am finding it hard to stay off the treadmill though which probably has not helped. I want some form of decent cardio and find the elliptical annoying these days. Weather not up to cycling outside yet. Even walking hurts the knee sometimes so yes, it is making me resent my body for not performing to my standards, lol. I am 38, not 88.
  • lwagnitz
    lwagnitz Posts: 1,321 Member
    Do you stretch regularly?
  • Graelwyn75
    Graelwyn75 Posts: 4,404 Member
    Look into IT Band Syndrome and see if it fits your symptoms. My husband, who has no history of knee problems, occasionally suffers from pain in his knee related to his IT band when he increases his running mileage too quickly.

    That may well be the issue given I recently started doing weighted squats, lunges and the like as well. Not going to be much fun if it comes back every time I run.
  • Graelwyn75
    Graelwyn75 Posts: 4,404 Member
    Do you stretch regularly?

    Yes, I stretch after every run and most other cardio I do, but not before generally. I tend to go straight into a run when I get on the treadmill.
  • mrphil86
    mrphil86 Posts: 2,382 Member
    Did you switch shoes or did you actually get fitted with them? Having the wrongs shoes usually accounts for 80% of running injuries.
  • Graelwyn75
    Graelwyn75 Posts: 4,404 Member
    I was not fitted for them at a running shop, there is a running shop near me, though, who do a free test to check for pronation etc.
  • hendelk
    hendelk Posts: 22 Member
    When I first started running a few years ago I had the same trouble with right knee pain. Went to an ortho doc and he said my hip flexors weren't strong enough so when I ran my knee wasn't following the correct track and therefore causing pain. The physical therapist gave me some stretching and strengthening exercises to do with a resistance band and the pain quickly went away and I was able to run without pain. There are really a lot of different things that could cause knee pain though, so it might be a good idea to get it checked out by an ortho doc that specializes in sports medicine.
  • lwagnitz
    lwagnitz Posts: 1,321 Member
    Do you stretch regularly?

    Yes, I stretch after every run and most other cardio I do, but not before generally. I tend to go straight into a run when I get on the treadmill.

    It could be beneficial to do some dynamic stretching before running. Might be worth a try.
  • mrphil86
    mrphil86 Posts: 2,382 Member
    I was not fitted for them at a running shop, there is a running shop near me, though, who do a free test to check for pronation etc.

    Yeah I can not preach enough how important it is to have the right shoes. I can't count how many times I've seen people drop out of races with minor or major injuries which could have been prevented with the correct shoe. Without the right shoe you are making your feet do a balancing act which then relies on your knees to absorb all of the impact (Which is not good.) By the way you describe it, it sounds like you do have a simple case of "runners knee."

    Unfortunately, if you continue on it, you will turn that minor into a major. Rest (no high impact cardio) for at least a week. Get fitted as well, your knees and legs will thank you!
  • mrphil86
    mrphil86 Posts: 2,382 Member
    Also, here's an article plus some stretches from my favorite website:

    http://www.runnersworld.com/health/patellofemoral-pain-syndrome-runners-knee
  • Graelwyn75
    Graelwyn75 Posts: 4,404 Member
    I was not fitted for them at a running shop, there is a running shop near me, though, who do a free test to check for pronation etc.

    Yeah I can not preach enough how important it is to have the right shoes. I can't count how many times I've seen people drop out of races with minor or major injuries which could have been prevented with the correct shoe. Without the right shoe you are making your feet do a balancing act which then relies on your knees to absorb all of the impact (Which is not good.)

    Unfortunately, if you continue on it, you will turn that minor into a major. Rest (no high impact cardio) for at least a week. Get fitted as well, your knees and legs will thank you!

    Ok, will do this and get myself fitted for suitable trainers.
  • WillowWindow
    WillowWindow Posts: 100 Member
    I have a similar pain that acts up occasionally and that I got from a single longer than average bicycle trip (about 2 hours) pushing hard against the gears. I was on a cane for 4-6 months after and it gradually cleared up but now if I do too much it can flare. I HIGHLY suggest that you immediately stop pedalling the bike at high tension. I believe, but don't know, that one of my meniscus pads ( the pads under the knee bone that act as cushions) was torn or worn down. I'm about to go to my Doctor and request an MRI to see if anything can be found and repaired because it limits my ability to exercise in a significant way.
  • JenRunTriHappyGirl
    JenRunTriHappyGirl Posts: 521 Member
    I had a knee problem a while ago and it was Runner's Knee. Basically I needed to strengthen my legs so they could better support my knees as I ran. So twice a week I do a workout that includes a lot of lunges and squats to strengthen my thighs. It has helped tremendously. I also bought a elastic knee brace/stablizer to help while I was running until it wa better. I also took a couple of days between runs so that I didnt make it any worse.

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