Runners (or others) - Knee ?

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nuttyfamily
nuttyfamily Posts: 3,394 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I ran seven on Sunday and the knees were fine. I went for walks on Mon and Tues.

Tonight I went out for a four mile run but my left knee started hurting more than it ever has. I started compensating with the right leg and then that one hurt behind the knee.

Stopped running at three miles and limped home the remaining one mile.

I iced and took liquid Aleve but the left knee cap is shifted to the left and hurts like HELLo to go up and down stairs.

Could this be just water on the knee? Anyone else experience this? I have no idea why it would just all of a sudden do this!

Should I go the doc or wait a day or two to see if gets better? Ugh.

Replies

  • CAH1968
    CAH1968 Posts: 14 Member
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    going through the SAME pain. really sucks. All I can find is, ice and rest. It is a common runners ailment. Especially when you up the distance. I also read that it is caused by weaker thigh muscles and also stride or how we land on our feet. I have had this knee pain for 2 weeks now. Had a fractured toe and was walking on my foot all wrong. Did not run for 3 weeks. Picked it up again and was able to do 3 miles for 3 days and then boom. Knee went crazy. Rested it. Did a 5k at the end of that week and paid for it DEARLY. Finished the race though in my usual time! Now I just need to pray it heals quickly. If you find anything out! I'd love to hear it!!! thanks!
  • knapowell
    knapowell Posts: 230 Member
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    This EXACT thing happened to me a couple of weeks ago. My right knee (what has always been my good knee), suddenly started hurting on my run. Then it got so bad, I thought I was going to have to crawl to a neighbors house. I started walking for several days to let my knee heal and then the back of my left knee has started hurting. I hope you (we) get some answers. This is not the normal knee pain that I feel when I increase distance or speed either. I have been running about 4 miles a day at least 3 days a week since May.
  • Kellie0710
    Kellie0710 Posts: 95 Member
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    Could be bursitis maybe? (inflammation of the fluid sac in the knee)
  • latinahada
    latinahada Posts: 168
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    First off, I'm not a runner...BUT I am a nurse :) Google "chondromalacia" (mayoclinic.com gives a good overview of it). Might be your source of pain...?? Ice for 20 mins. at a time, elevation, use an anti-inflammatory (as you did!) and it might not be a bad idea to see a Dr. Also, an ACE wrap should give you some support and relief! Hope that helps...
  • starbucksbuzz
    starbucksbuzz Posts: 466 Member
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    Go to an orthopaedic group / knee specialist they deal with athletes all the time and will be able to help guide you through what you should be and shouldn't be doing, and get you back running asap. :)
  • ajm07
    ajm07 Posts: 32 Member
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    Just posting to say - sorry to hear that.

    How much does it suck that we get in an awesome mindset of being healthy and exercising, and then our darned BODY lets us down? Oh well.

    There's all sorts of things that can cause knee problems. I personally get pain on the outside of my knee - caused by the ITB (band of tendons or something) causing irritation where it runs past/connects to the knee. I honestly had no idea what specific cause it was until I saw a physio.

    General process is the same - decrease some or all of the distance, instensity, frequency of runs. Rest, ice, antiinflammatories. Get advice on suitability of shoes (stability vs neatral etc), correct any biomechanical problems (my physio gave me bridge exercises and single leg squats, as well as general stretching), and slowly get back into the running. I also use a strap ABOVE the knee for my ITB, but the same kind of straps can be used below the knee for various ailments.

    Good luck!

    Good luck!
  • nuttyfamily
    nuttyfamily Posts: 3,394 Member
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    Thanks for the feedback. A few others on another board also suggested IT band but I will google all the suggestions here.

    The thing is, I trained for a half (which I didn't end up running as my FIL passed away the Wed before so flew to MN) so I have run much higher mileage.

    Since I don't have any big races on tap, I'll be sure to use the RICE for a few days and see if it helps.

    The knee looks normal this morning but hurts big time going down stairs! I am icing right now again and took Aleve.
  • dragonflytwt
    dragonflytwt Posts: 49 Member
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    I've had knee pain! Still dealing with it, though where is the pain, is it just your knee?? If the pain goes down into your ankle, side of your leg.. etc. That is probably your IT band. That was and sometimes still is, my issue. What I found to work is stretching. Don't stretch it out too much before your run, but after really stretch out. Also, get an IT Band Compression Wrap (you can find one on Amazon) wear it when you run and get a Foam Roller (also found on Amazon) and message it out after your run and at night. Ice after your run for 15-20 minutes and if you're in pain, take a couple days off until it feels better. Also, some muscle/joint pain reliever, I use Salonpas patches for pain, they're awesome! If you have any questions about how to stretch or use your Foam Roller, check out Runners World.com, great info on that site for all runners!! Good luck!

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