We are pleased to announce that on March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor will be introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the upcoming changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

serious back of knees pain after walking 15 miles

hamlet1222
hamlet1222 Posts: 459 Member
edited November 2024 in Fitness and Exercise
I never normally walk (or run) more than 5 miles ever, but last Saturday I walked 15 miles (around city streets - it's a long story). My feet were getting sore after 5 miles (as they usually do), but after 8 my knees really started to hurt, in the middle of them where the joint is, and at the back and sides on the rear - similar to muscle soreness (DOMS), but not exactly the same. I soldiered on to finish the 15 miles, but have been struggling since, although it's slowly improving.

My question is, is this normal, or might I have some issue with my gait that I need to worry about?

Replies

  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    What shoes were you wearing?

    Pain is not normal, doing 7 miles in significant pain sounds foolish to me.

    I'd find a physiotherapist asap
  • kshama2001
    kshama2001 Posts: 28,055 Member
    Pain when you do more activity than you are accustomed to is normal.
  • hamlet1222
    hamlet1222 Posts: 459 Member
    thanks, I was wearing some ordinary Nike running shoes.
  • ClubSilencio
    ClubSilencio Posts: 2,983 Member
    Get some arnica cream to give you some relief while you recover. I use one called "The Rub".
  • Dayiscoming
    Dayiscoming Posts: 13 Member
    Just sounds like you pushed yourself too hard. You are supposed to increase activity gradually to avoid injury. I don't know if you injured anything, but it is understandable that your body would be very sore after that.
  • Surfrider
    Surfrider Posts: 364 Member
    Too much too soon and / or improper support / fit shoes.

    Increase your miles much more gradually. Also might be worth checking that your shoes are supporting your foot type. (Pronation, arches, etc)
  • _Waffle_
    _Waffle_ Posts: 13,049 Member
    hamlet1222 wrote: »
    I never normally walk (or run) more than 5 miles ever, but last Saturday I walked 15 miles (around city streets - it's a long story). My feet were getting sore after 5 miles (as they usually do), but after 8 my knees really started to hurt, in the middle of them where the joint is, and at the back and sides on the rear - similar to muscle soreness (DOMS), but not exactly the same. I soldiered on to finish the 15 miles, but have been struggling since, although it's slowly improving.

    My question is, is this normal, or might I have some issue with my gait that I need to worry about?

    That's 200% more than you typically do. It doesn't matter which exercise you do. That's too drastic of a change.
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    hamlet1222 wrote: »
    I
    My question is, is this normal.... ?

    No, it is not normal to walk 15 miles at one time
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    Sore feet are the result of poorly fitting / improper shoes he other pain is, most likely what _Waffle_ said.....even though it's walking big jumps in distance are bound to create discomfort (especially when combined with problem footwear)

    RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression & Elevation) forget the homeopathic woo.....
  • hopeandtheabsurd
    hopeandtheabsurd Posts: 265 Member
    I've gotten pain on the back of my knees from more walking than normal, I have very tight hamstrings so I attributed it to that. Running shoes are not necessarily the greatest to just walk in for long distances.
  • I_am_there
    I_am_there Posts: 8 Member
    arnica also comes in non-homeopathic versions and can be useful.. also, for shoes, don't buy into the certain type for certain feet. There was a large study done using military folks and the best shoe is the one that feels the most comfortable to you. http://www.army.mil/article/42842/
  • lorrpb
    lorrpb Posts: 11,463 Member
    It depends on the running shoe too. Some running shoes don't work well for extended walking because they flex in a different spot than what's best for walking.
  • whmscll
    whmscll Posts: 2,255 Member
    There is a walk I do every year on city streets that is about 15 miles (from downtown LA to the beach in Santa Monica, down Wilshire Blvd.) and I usually wear low-rise hiking shoes. Never had the pain you describe.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories