I have a bad knee, but I want to run!

mrsdizzyd84
mrsdizzyd84 Posts: 422 Member
edited October 5 in Fitness and Exercise
Do any of you have a bad knee, but still run? If so, how do you do it? Do you have any tips or tricks that make it less/not painful?

I really want to run. I've always wanted to, but I've had a bad knee since 1997. I injured it while sprinting. I was only 12 at the time. When I injured it I went to the doctor and was diagnosed with patella femoral syndrome. The doctor's ordered no MRI or anything else (thanks kaiser :angry: :grumble: ).

Fast forward to 2005. I was in a car accident, and injured my back. The chiro I was seeing (loved him!) examined my knee and surmised that I probably didn't have PFS. He thought I had probably torn something. He said he felt a lump somewhere around my knee cap (sorry I can't remember). Just the initial exam had my knee swollen and painful for a few days.

I've never pursued his theory. I've still never had an MRI or anything like that.

My cardio workouts generally consist of "running" on the elliptical machine. My knee tolerates the elliptical very well. The problem is that the elliptical is boring. I'd much rather be running. Before my injury I was on the track and field team. I used to love to run!

The last time I tried to start running again I got on the treadmill and started the couch to 5k program. I got to week 2 before my knee just completely quit on me. My knee was swollen and painful for at least a week. I couldn't even get back on the elliptical. It totally derailed my workout and weight loss plan.

If anyone can help I'd greatly appreciate it. I live in the mountains. There are some awesome trails etc. around here. I'd love to be able to run them instead of just walk them.

Thanks in advance.

Replies

  • alisahaggard
    alisahaggard Posts: 29
    I would think that the first step would be to consult a doctor to get your knee examined more closely. Every knee injury is different and what works for someone else might not work for you. You certainly don't want to make the situation worse.
  • CyberEd312
    CyberEd312 Posts: 3,536 Member
    I have Osteoarthritis stage 3 both knee's, torn meniscus both knee's, and a torn ACL in my left knee (I have had bilateral MRI) 28 months ago I couldn't walk so to be able to get on the elliptical today and/or treadmill is very satisfying. (Have you ever tried interval training on the Elliptical??) After I lost around 200 lbs. and was able to bare my on weight outside of the pool, I was fitted with DonJoy knee braces and began injection therapy and pain meds. I would suggest going to see an Ortho dr. and get x-ray's and/or MRI to see just what is going on. If it is something they can go in and scope the knee and clean up the loose debris then you may be pain free in a matter of month's, if its much worse (like mine) then atleast they can make an attempt to manage the pain some.. As soon as my weightloss journey is done then I will be getting knee replacements...... Good luck!!
  • HealthyEscape
    HealthyEscape Posts: 255
    I would def. say go to the doctor and get your knee checked out. Let them know you are interested in running and just want to make sure everything is okay. DEMAND an MRI.

    2 years ago I tore my ACL during a kick boxing class. Kaiser tried to tell me it was just a sprain and tried to send me away. I demanded an MRI and finally got one after a few days. Results came back that I had a complete ACL tear and needed to have it replaced.

    Sometimes, you just know when your body isn't feeling right and unfortunately, you have to make sure you are getting the proper care. Doctors today just want to get you in and out with as little treatment as possible.

    Take your health care into your own hands and don't back down until you get what you think you need.

    But def see a doctor before starting a running program. Better to know your knee can handle it before you go out and get hurt.
  • ldalbello
    ldalbello Posts: 207 Member
    I hurt my knee skipping with a skipping rope one month ago. Since then i haven't done any exercise and I sit at a desk all day. Amazingly, I am still losing 1 pound per week just by sticking to 1200 calories each day.
  • poustotah
    poustotah Posts: 1,121 Member
    Me! Actually I used to. When I was 14 I was playing soccer. I jumped up to head butt the ball, twisted in mid-air and slammed my let knee into someone's back. It shattered the inside of my knee and I couldn't walk for a couple of days. Then I sat. On my butt. And ate. Everything. So I gained weight and my knees locked together to support my fat butt. Then I lost some weight and as my knees started to straighten out, the pain came back 10 fold. So I had surgery on it. Then I gained some weight when I got pregnant with baby 3 and after I had him, I started working with a personal trainer. He had me work on strengthening the knee area and now I run with no problems, no pain, no nothing.

    First step - get to a doctor and have them MRI that knee and find out what is wrong with it. One thing I don't recommend is to run with a bad anything!!!
  • itsuki
    itsuki Posts: 520 Member
    Definitely check in with your doctor to find out what's wrong, and whether or not you should be running at all.

    I'm no expert, and everyone is different, but here's my story, if it helps.

    I've always had knee problems (thanks, genetics!) including arthritis that started in my late teens/early 20's (good times). I like running, but it was too painful to run more than a quarter mile - some times even less!

    I gave up on running for a long time until someone suggested I try Vibram Five Fingers (those running shoes that have toes, and are very thin and flexible). The concept behind them is they're like running barefoot, so your body takes on a more healthy posture when running (apparently most popular running shoes sort of make you land hard on your heel, which is bad for your knees, while running barefoot makes you take shorter strides, and land sort of on your midfoot, which allows the impact to be better absorbed? Again, I'm not an expert. But there's plenty of articles about the benefits of barefoot running online).

    They're a bit expensive ($100 or so) but I picked up a pair, and it was great! The pain was a lot better, and bareable. I still got stiff sometimes, even with good stretching, but it made running possible. I did check with my doctor eventually, and she recommended that even though the pain was better, that I probably shouldn't run as much :( as it could cause more problems down the line based on my personal situation. But if your doc says it's fine, give Vibram a try!
  • Nova_Lotus
    Nova_Lotus Posts: 7
    I have patella femoral syndrom as well. I would get under a great doctor to see what they can do for you. I had knee surgery on my left year to help correct the pain in my knee. It took a lil while to get back to exersizing, My left knee feels great and can handle so much more than it ever could before. My right knee however holds me back from running. At this point running is not an option, anytime I run I end up layed up for at least a week nursing my knee back to health. My doc demands that I do not run, It exasterbates the problems.

    Try new things - I have taken up biking, and swimming. Both keep me moving and active more than just walking. I would suggest investing in a good light bike (not a walmart brand etc..) and hit the road. If you go to the gym take a swimming class and learn some tecniques of swimming. you will get a great exersize doing laps in the pool especially if you get the tecniques down. This is what I do and it really helps. Resist the urge to run. Its better to do the boring elliptical daily than to be laid up in bed doing nothing. Try putting music you enjoy on to change up the tone from mundane to exciting. I can handle cardio well with my knees, maybe you can look into cardio classes you can take, start off slow till your leg muscles can build up and support your knee better. Most importantly get to the doc and see what they can do for you. They can instruct you to exersizes that you can do to build up your inner leg muscles that help correct the cap tacking off course. as well as soft knee supports that may help you. Good Luck to ya.. Keep moving..Just dont hurt yourself :wink:
  • rileysowner
    rileysowner Posts: 8,331 Member
    I would think that the first step would be to consult a doctor to get your knee examined more closely. Every knee injury is different and what works for someone else might not work for you. You certainly don't want to make the situation worse.

    ^^^^^^^^
    THIS

    Get it looked at by a specialist. It may be a relatively easy fix, or not, but right now you are just guessing.
  • Fatbuster205
    Fatbuster205 Posts: 333 Member
    Without getting it checked out it is hard to guess but I would suggest you get it checked out before trying anything. It could be torn cartilage but it is only a guess. I can't even walk at the moment so running is not even on the agenda!! Hope it sorts out for you!
  • Lizmhoughton
    Lizmhoughton Posts: 92 Member
    I was having trouble with my IT Band, which is a muscle, but I was feeling the pain in my knee. I couldn't run more than a quarter mile without having to stop and then it would result in a 3 day painful limp. Only hurt if I ran, but would go away after not doing anything for a few days. The pain originally started when I was doing lunges one day. I started doing hot yoga and now I am fine. Did that for about 6 months (all winter) and then I started taking up running again. No knee pain ever since. You could also try biking...might be easier on your knees, and you would still be able to enjoy the trails.
  • fitplease
    fitplease Posts: 647 Member
    First step - get to a doctor and have them MRI that knee and find out what is wrong with it. One thing I don't recommend is to run with a bad anything!!!

    I agree. Don't make it worse. You made need to work up to running.
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