Do you keep running through knee pain?

carrie564
carrie564 Posts: 44 Member
edited October 3 in Fitness and Exercise
I'm training for a 5 mile race in November, but my knees are super sore. I wear the bands, and have used KT Tape, but they don't do much for me. I've been taking two days off between runs (or more last week when it felt really bad). Do I keep pushing through the pain? Or am I really supposed to stop? Or any other tips to help with the pain and get fast knee recovery?

(I was already running 2-3 miles, 3 days a week prior to this, so my body was pretty used to it- but the pain has started since pushing it up to 3-4 mile faster runs the past few weeks. I also get on grass and trails and stay off concrete as much as possible).

It's probaby time for new shoes (I do buy specially fitted, from a running store), but I didn't want to spend $120 on new running shoes if I'm told a week later to stop running... so I'm torn! :( But I think I will try the new shoes, since $120 is less than paying a specialist (in case it works).

Replies

  • MissFit0101
    MissFit0101 Posts: 2,382
    At this point I would go to the doctor, but from my own experience, when I ran through the pain I ended up much worst off and out of running for 6 weeks! Don't let that happen to you!
  • cherokeetracey
    cherokeetracey Posts: 49
    i carried on with exercise with bad knees and now have very bad arthiritis in my left knee. Better to check things out with a specialist first before you do any damage. I speak with experience as now, i am limited to what i can do when i have very bad knee pain.
  • SpaceMarkus
    SpaceMarkus Posts: 651
    Nope! Knees are one area where if you feel pain, STOP! In fact, if you ever feel joint pain when working out it's time to stop. Go see a therapist or doctor.

    I know what worked for me was strength training. I used to have to stop after a mile because my knees would lock up. 90 Days of ChaLEAN Extreme and building my leg muscle and now I can do a half marathon no problem. Feel free to shoot me a friend request or message if you have any questions :)
  • akgrl1020
    akgrl1020 Posts: 179
    I wouldn't. I took a break when I has some knee pain, this spring. Discovered it was from wearing my summer sandals, so switched shoes and it went away. Have you had your feet and gait checked out at the local running store? I am a firm believer in spending the monies for the proper shoe.
  • JConstine
    JConstine Posts: 69
    If your pain is that bad, it could be a sign of injury and you should never push through and injury because you can make it worse. See a doctor.
  • DizzieLittleLifter
    DizzieLittleLifter Posts: 1,020 Member
    The bands and tape CAN be detrimental. Unless you have been recommended by a Dr. to wear one I wouldn't. The majority of people who use them shouldn't. :( . Pain is never a good thing. RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation and some advil) I also really love Tiger Balm :smile: You have the time before the race so listen to your body and take it easy. Take a week off (walking is OK) and see how it feels. Are you by chance doing 30ds? I have found many many people (myself included) can not run and do 30ds at the same time.
  • Runs4Wine
    Runs4Wine Posts: 416 Member
    It could be a lot of different things. Recently as I reached the 11-12 mile runs I notice pain in my knees, but it's probably my IT band. There is a lot of information about various stretches and things you can do on Runners World.

    The other thing too is your shoes? Are you in need of new ones? Were you fitted for the ones you have?
  • Fatbuster205
    Fatbuster205 Posts: 333 Member
    I have to agree with the others that you should get this checked out. I am also currently experiencing knee pain but I know that I have torn cartilages in both knees (having had surgery once on the right one and twice on the left!) and so I know how much I can push it. I am not preparing for a race or anything - I am doing this just to lose weight and on the theory that as the pounds come off the strain on my knees will lessen I hope that the pain will also ease. However, if they are really bad I have to do other exercises instead.
  • SarahofTwins
    SarahofTwins Posts: 1,169 Member
    I did that a month ago and regret it....my knee is still bothering me after taking some days off. I'd rather heal it before it gets any worse. I hope yours gets better though! :flowerforyou:
  • kmbrooks15
    kmbrooks15 Posts: 941 Member
    Yes, go see an orthopedic specialist (skip the trip to your primary care if your insurance allows it). They can do some tests (MRI, Xray) to find out if it's an injury or not. If there is a problem and you keep running, you could make it worse in the long run. I know it's a bummer to have to lay off running for awhile, but if you do it now on doctors' advice, it could save you being out even longer later on because you need surgery or something. They might also be able to send you for some physical therapy to help it heal up; the therapist could give you some exercises to help you stay in shape while it heals. I worked in an orthopedic office for awhile, and the doctors were always frustrated with the number of people who wouldn't rest it when needed, resulting in further injury.

    Good luck! I hope they can help you with it!
  • maura1110
    maura1110 Posts: 171 Member
    You probably need new running shoes. It sounds silly but they make all the difference in the world. I get really bad knee pain and it's happened several times where I got new running sneakers and the pain went away.
  • wackynunu
    wackynunu Posts: 103
    As stated above...see your doctor. I have struggled with knee pain my whole life (thank god they dont hurt when I run). My husband encouraged me to go a few weeks ago and I found out I am missing most of the cartilige in my right knee. She told me that if I am doing something and it hurts, STOP. I have to be careful about my activities, but she also told me that the best way to keep my knee protected is to keep my weight down. Best motivation I have ever gotten.
  • SueInAz
    SueInAz Posts: 6,592 Member
    Definitely stop running until you figure out what the problem is. Better a week off than permanent damage.

    From personal experience, it might be your shoes. The first pair of running shoes I used bothered my right knee. After a few weeks, I read here that it might be my shoes, so I switched to an old pair of cross trainers and the knee problem stopped on the next run. I had no more problems until I started running more than 3 miles at a time, and that trouble was simply that they weren't big enough and my toes were jamming the front of the shoes. At that point, I went to a running store (not a general shoe store) and was professional fitted for a pair of true running shoes. I have no pains in any of my joints and I'm up to running 6 miles at a time.

    If you can afford a visit to an orthopedist, get yourself checked out. If not, hopefully, you can afford a new pair of running shoes and see if that helps. If it doesn't, it's time to stop running.
  • LiveEnjoyEndure
    LiveEnjoyEndure Posts: 98 Member
    go to the doctor to find the cause, look at your running style, shoes etc... take a break and do other cardiovascular exercise to keep your fitness up (cycling / swimming / rowing). You might want to consider some exercise that builds your core strength too... Triathletes suffer fewer injuries than runners, cos the other sports (swim / cycle) help build / strengthen knees.
  • Troll
    Troll Posts: 922 Member
    i have lateral distoid meniscus (malformed/damaged cartilage in my knees) and there have been days that nothing short of vicodin will allow me to walk, so i know your pain! I like elations and joint juice when they get iffy, but glucosamine/chondroitin tablets are good too. Now, if its less bone, more muscle pain i suggest altermating ice packs and heat (if you dont have a heat pack, take uncooked dried rice, put a cup or so in clean tube sock, tie it closed and microwave about 1 minute). It worked for me so i didnt have to take days off. :)
  • Elizabeth_C34
    Elizabeth_C34 Posts: 6,376 Member
    I'm training for a 5 mile race in November, but my knees are super sore. I wear the bands, and have used KT Tape, but they don't do much for me. I've been taking two days off between runs (or more last week when it felt really bad). Do I keep pushing through the pain? Or am I really supposed to stop? Or any other tips to help with the pain and get fast knee recovery?

    (I was already running 2-3 miles, 3 days a week prior to this, so my body was pretty used to it- but the pain has started since pushing it up to 3-4 mile faster runs the past few weeks. I also get on grass and trails and stay off concrete as much as possible).

    It's probaby time for new shoes (I do buy specially fitted, from a running store), but I didn't want to spend $120 on new running shoes if I'm told a week later to stop running... so I'm torn! :( But I think I will try the new shoes, since $120 is less than paying a specialist (in case it works).

    You need to stop running and go to a doctor. My grandmother was very active for years and started having excruciating knee pain when walking and just let it go for years. Turns out it was a torn miniscus and she had to have a knee replacement. Don't let it get that bad. Take care of you first. The race can wait :)
  • lisaisso
    lisaisso Posts: 337 Member
    bump :heart:
  • MayMaydoesntrun
    MayMaydoesntrun Posts: 805 Member
    I do not. I use the RICE advice. Rest, Ibuprofen, cold compress, elevate. Until it stops hurting. Not worth it to really injure yourself.
  • JanetTerry
    JanetTerry Posts: 123 Member
    Id see a chirporactor right away. Lots of times they are able to fix where the cause is..... and educate you about why and how this is happening. It's amazing what an adjustment can do, and most of the time is cheaper than going to a regular doctor or specialist. And then you end up getting your issues fixed rather than pills for pain! It's a win-win IMO :)
  • skylark94
    skylark94 Posts: 2,036 Member
    I ran through knee pain and ended up not being able to walk after a couple weeks. I finally stopped and took a year off to rest and am now running pain free.
  • fitbiadi
    fitbiadi Posts: 2 Member
    I havent heard you say anything about stretching, and i'm not talking about that 2-5 minute thing, a good 15 minute stretch session, how about Yoga? Are you doing any cross training?, resistance training? then if all else fails, see your doctor
  • lawkat
    lawkat Posts: 538 Member
    Where is the pain? Depending on where it is can mean different things. I occasionally get runner's knee and if I rest a week or two, it is fine. It is usually caused by pushing myself too far.

    If you have persistent knee pain, you should go to a doctor.
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