knee problem - anyone else?

CarlitaK
CarlitaK Posts: 139
edited September 29 in Fitness and Exercise
Hi everyone,

About 6 weeks ago I ran a 10 km trail run and then walked to and from work everyday for a week (10km round trip). I noticed during that week that my right knee started to hurt. It hurts most often when I wake up, and when I go downstairs.

Since then I have stopped running/long walks in the hopes that the pain would stop, but it hasn't. I want to get back to running and wondering if anyone else has experienced this and has any tips.

I realize that the most important thing is to get it checked out by the doctor, and that is in the works, but as I'm considering going for a run today, thought I'd check in.

Replies

  • ThumperWabbt
    ThumperWabbt Posts: 82 Member
    Anti-inflammatory meds (Ibruprofen or Naprosyn) and alternating ice and heat can be your friend... but it also depends on where in the knee the pain is. Is it specific to the right side, left side, under the front side of the knee cap? Is is a generalized ache? There are so many things that can go wrong with the knee, from torn ACL to sprains and strains to torn meniscus.

    Mine aches most of the time, but it's just arthritis.
  • nybor101
    nybor101 Posts: 477 Member
    When I weighed 200lbs I would always say when I lose this weight me knees wont hurt anymore. I now have found out I have rheumatoid arthritis. Some days are worse than others. I take anti inflammatory meds. While I'm walking the inclined tread mill or stair master or hiking up Cowels Mountain it doesn't hurt but once I sit down it is all over. As we age there is pain we just have to manage it.
  • zmoreno10
    zmoreno10 Posts: 69 Member
    How many miles do you have on your shoes? (Running and walking)

    You may want to look into switching up your shoes, as they could be causing the problem with your knees. Specifically, switch to a pair that has less mileage and preferably more cushioning.
  • CarlitaK
    CarlitaK Posts: 139
    I appreciate everyone's responses.

    It is specifically on the right knee on the top of the knee just below the knee cap.

    I went to the doctor today and she said that my patella and tibia are most likely grinding together, which is causing the pain, and she recommended anti-inflammatory meds to ease the swelling and an xray to determine the next steps.

    nybor101 and ThumperWabbt - can you still run with the pain? I know this is different from arthritis, but is there anything you do to ease the pain? ie: bandages or anything?

    zmoreno10 - you are right, i need to get new shoes too.

    I MISS RUNNING! any advice appreciated!
  • ThumperWabbt
    ThumperWabbt Posts: 82 Member

    nybor101 and ThumperWabbt - can you still run with the pain? I know this is different from arthritis, but is there anything you do to ease the pain? ie: bandages or anything?

    I don't run, but I do *a lot* of walking, and when the knee is really bothering me I use anti-inflammatory medications and stick to a tight schedule with them for a few days. Alternating ice and heat helps, too, but the biggest thing for me is shoes. If my knee is suddenly acting up after a long time, it's generally time for new shoes.

    I buy high mileage running shoes, 500 mile or so, but I've found that I need to replace them around the 250-300 mile mark.

    The above also applies to back pain...the same things that irritate my knee throw my back in directions it's not intended to go.

    I also get knee pain doing elliptical type motions (I have a Street Strider...like a mobile elliptical machine) and for that I use a knee brace.
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