Running knee injury :(

emzerkate
emzerkate Posts: 27 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
So I've been running since January. 3 -5 times a week. approx 7-10km each evening! I love it.
I'm going on holidays in 5 weeks so I'm trying to up the running a bit.

Last week while running I got a severe pain in my left knee, right on the joint and both sides of the knee. I finished my run and cooled down etc. The next morning walking was even a struggle.
Now as much as I don't like not being able to run, I knew I had to give it a rest so it could repair.

It killed me not to run, but I took 5 days rest!
I went out on Monday and same thing again :( so Tuesday I just did some gentle exercises that I looked up for knee problems.

Last night I went for a short run at a much slower pace to see would that help, but after 2km it kicked in again.. Today I'm limping again :(
I don't want rest to be my only option, I want to run. I won't be stupid though, I will do what i have to, I just need some advice of how to repair it.

It's driving me insane not being able to run at the ability I know I can.

Any ideas or help? Or anyone have similar problems?

I have the right gear and trainers etc. I run on the road as soft surfaces don't feel good for me!

Help!
A desperate to run runner !

Replies

  • douglasnorton
    douglasnorton Posts: 479 Member
    I would rest your knee and ice it down. Also, get it checked out. You could have some damage to your MCL or have strained the MCL. If it keeps continuing to give you pain, that might be the reason why it is painful to run. Don't push it off that long or you'll do more damage to it. Get checked out by your doctor.
  • OSUloulou
    OSUloulou Posts: 74 Member
    Sounds like an IT Band injury. Try foam rolling for a few days.
  • PamelaD88
    PamelaD88 Posts: 38 Member
    You have to rest and ice. I'm in recovery from my second knee surgery. I agree with the IT band. Try foam rolling and stretching more. If it doesn't help within a week go to a doctor. Like he said it could be a MCL or it could be tendonitis. It'll be good to know what's wrong so you can deal with it and prevent it in the future.
  • janeosu
    janeosu Posts: 140 Member
    Look up some IT band stretches and KT taping for runners knee. . . and try the foam roller. I agree that you may want to go get checked out and make sure you don't have something torn. Do you have access to a pool? You may try running in a pool until it feels better - no impact/great workout. I can relate and really hope it feels better soon! Nothing worse than wanting to get out and run and a knee not cooperating :)
  • sarahellen28
    sarahellen28 Posts: 3
    Sounds like runner's knee unfortunately. I started having knee problems in January and ignored them for 2 months and ended up in a lot of pain. Like others said, look for stretches for your it band. I went to physical therapy following my injury, and they gave me exercises to strengthen my quad and stretch my it band, and after 2 months off running, I was able to add running back in slowly. Try a bike or elliptical or just walking. I took ibuprofen before working out and iced afterwards. I highly suggest going to a doctor because the injury could be more severe.
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    It's almost impossible to diagnose over the Internet, if the pain had been below and outside of the knee it would have sounded like an IT band issue but both sides makes it more difficult to pinpoint.

    Rest and ice and walk, give yourself time to heal. You may want to check out runnersworld.com for tips on hip & glute strengthening (they commonly manifest as knee pain)

    http://www.runnersworld.com/tag/runners-knee

    If the pain persists seek medical attention (preferably from a sports medicine specialist)
  • midnight419
    midnight419 Posts: 77 Member
    If you're limping 1 day after a run it's time to make an appointment with your doctor.
  • emzerkate
    emzerkate Posts: 27 Member
    Thanks guys.. I'm heading to a physio on Saturday to see can they diagnose it for sure.. And give me some exercises to help.. But I'll have a look on the net in the mean time.

    Looking at a bike in the mean time so I can still get exercising in!

    Thanks for the support
  • CarsonRuns
    CarsonRuns Posts: 3,039 Member
    Not IT Band if the pain is on both sides of the knee. IT Band only manifests on the outside of the knee. Also, doesn't sound like typical Runner's Knee, though that is still a possibility. Treatment for that is rest and strengthening of the quadriceps.

    Given that the pain is on both sides, through the center of the knee and was present even when not running the day after, I would get this checked out before trying to self diagnose.
  • sevsmom
    sevsmom Posts: 1,172 Member
    Not IT Band if the pain is on both sides of the knee. IT Band only manifests on the outside of the knee. Also, doesn't sound like typical Runner's Knee, though that is still a possibility. Treatment for that is rest and strengthening of the quadriceps.

    Given that the pain is on both sides, through the center of the knee and was present even when not running the day after, I would get this checked out before trying to self diagnose.

    ^^^THIS^^^
  • swampgeek
    swampgeek Posts: 23 Member
    Its good you are seeking help. If it isn't too bad have you may consider changing your running mechanics.

    http://www.runnersworld.com/injury-prevention-recovery/how-different-foot-strikes-affect-different-body-parts

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