knee pain....

vrdz3215 · October 2009

I am having slight discomfort in my knee...it is the back inside part of it. It is not unbearable pain or anything, it is just uncomfortable. I am inquiring as to whether I should see the doctor about this or just tough it out? Any suggestions?

nancyko · October 2009

I don't know about the knee pain but I am very proud of you about the cigerettes!! My daughter is trying to quit and she is having a very hard time of it. Keep up the good work.
Nancy

BiloxiBelle · October 2009

I am having slight discomfort in my knee...it is the back inside part of it. It is not unbearable pain or anything, it is just uncomfortable. I am inquiring as to whether I should see the doctor about this or just tough it out? Any suggestions?

I see you are a runner? I ran for many, many years up until maybe 5-6 years ago. Then maybe 3 years ago my right knee started hurting when I did step aerobics. Like you, not unbearable but enough to make me worry a little. I finally saw an Orthopedic surgeon, got xrays...& was diagnosed w/runner's knee (not the technical name). Basically the muscles on the outside of my thigh were extremely strong compared to the muscles running on the inside of my thigh from years of running. The stronger muscles were pulling my kneecap over to the stronger side (or something like that). I went to physcial therapy, they gave me some exercises to do at home for 6 weeks or so to strengthen the inner muscles. And now I'm totally fine. No pain. Wish I could remember the exercises, but you can probably google runners knee. My pain felt like it was just below my kneecap. This may not be your problem, but just a thought based on my experience & that you run....Funny mine didn't hurt really while doing high impact, "jump up and down" aerobics. I really felt it more going up steps, doing lunges, etc....

Good Luck!

KendalBeee · October 2009

I also have runner's knee (chondromalacia I think is the name....spelling is probably wrong though). I am not, nor have I ever been a runner....just a big girl who went to college in a mountain town. All the hills and stairs and especially the cold have messed up my knees. Went to the dr (no xrays or anything....just told him it hurt to go up/down hills and stairs and thats what he said it is). He gave me an rx for some big ibiprofen pills and said theres not really anything you can do about it. Looked it up online and saw basically it'll just keep getting worse till the point where I might need a knee replacement.

I use the ellipitcal and bike for my cardio needs. I'm hoping once the contract runs out at my current gym to find a place with a pool and start swimming as well. I can't do squats or lunges or anything that puts a lot of pressure on my knees. I have to even be careful doing leg presses that I don't shift my knees in a way that it'll hurt.

But I definitely like BiloxiBelle's post!! I knew there are exercises to strengthen the muscles around the knee and subside the pain, but I was never told the pain will go away. The main exercise I remember is laying on your back, flat on the floor and lifting your feet 4-6 inches off the floor, holding it for a few seconds and then lowering them to the floor. There are a couple others but I don't have my info in front of me so I'm not sure. I'll let you know if I can find my sheet when I get home today.

I'm hoping that loosing weight will help allieviate the pain in my knees and I will be able to actually run one day.

Azdak · October 2009

I am having slight discomfort in my knee...it is the back inside part of it. It is not unbearable pain or anything, it is just uncomfortable. I am inquiring as to whether I should see the doctor about this or just tough it out? Any suggestions?

I see you are a runner? I ran for many, many years up until maybe 5-6 years ago. Then maybe 3 years ago my right knee started hurting when I did step aerobics. Like you, not unbearable but enough to make me worry a little. I finally saw an Orthopedic surgeon, got xrays...& was diagnosed w/runner's knee (not the technical name). Basically the muscles on the outside of my thigh were extremely strong compared to the muscles running on the inside of my thigh from years of running. The stronger muscles were pulling my kneecap over to the stronger side (or something like that). I went to physcial therapy, they gave me some exercises to do at home for 6 weeks or so to strengthen the inner muscles. And now I'm totally fine. No pain. Wish I could remember the exercises, but you can probably google runners knee. My pain felt like it was just below my kneecap. This may not be your problem, but just a thought based on my experience & that you run....Funny mine didn't hurt really while doing high impact, "jump up and down" aerobics. I really felt it more going up steps, doing lunges, etc....

Good Luck!

The technical name is "patellofemoral tendinitis" or "patellofemoral syndrome" and you have described it pretty well. It's hard to describe a therapy routine in this type of forum, so I am not going to try. I would echo your recommendation to Google the name and see if there are any pictorial descriptions or videos.

The particular muscle that tends to be the weak link in the chain is the vastus medialis oblique or VMO. It takes a little effort to learn to isolate it or emphasize it in your exercises. I learned via a biofeedback machine, where they attached an electrode to the muscle and I could watch the amplitude wave as I increased involvement of the muscle while doing the various exercises. It was an excellent tool.

This is a frequent problem with runners as they get into their mid- to late-30s. Running is more hamstring intensive and really does not use the quads that much. We start to lose muscle mass in our 30s (absent any specific training) and so the weakening/imbalance starts to show up later in the decade.

There are two components to the treatment: relieving the tendinitis and strengthening the muscle. Unfortunately, if the problems become too severe, the pain can become debilitating and very difficult to alleviate. One method used to help a person continue an exercise program while receiving treatment is a taping technique that keeps the patella in place and tracking properly.

If you are not experiencing "pain" yet, I would recommended starting a strengthening program ASAP. Even if it doesn't "cure" the problem (because you have another issue), it is an excellent preventive measure. If you are experiencing "pain", I would recommend seeking medical treatment promptly so that it doesn't become worse. If you do, just make sure that you are seeing someone experienced in treating running injuries.

jlbay · October 2009

I have a touch of runner's knee myself. I'm seeing a physiotherapist. She has me taping my kneecap - pulling it into and holding it in the proper place for tracking. Also, she has me working on strengthening my weaker leg and glute muscles (I have multiple muscle imbalances I'm working on). In particular, she recommended stationary bike to work the parts of the upper leg that are not used as much in running (inner muscles, for example). So, I'm thinking you could probably find exercises on-line that suit you to add to your workout. I've had immediate relief and improvement from these simple changes.

Of course, if it gets worse or you start to limp because of it, you should probably see a doctor or specialist. I went before I got to that stage because I'm coming back to running after an injury and long, long break.

vrdz3215 · October 2009

Thanks for the feedback everyone

I never knew there was a such thing as runners knee...what has been described sounds like the discomfort that I am experiencing...i will google it and hopefully nip it in the bud..but i can not stand the thought of not running!

BiloxiBelle · October 2009

Thanks for the feedback everyone I never knew there was a such thing as runners knee...what has been described sounds like the discomfort that I am experiencing...i will google it and hopefully nip it in the bud..but i can not stand the thought of not running!

Well, while I was going through my physical therapy I could still do "jump up & down" old school aerobics. I just couldn't do step aerobics or lunges (the things that would make it hurt). So, if your knee doesn't hurt while actually running, you may be able to still run while doing some rehab of your knee? I would just think as long as you avoid the movements that make it hurt?.....Not sure though...maybe you can find more info online. I do think if you fix it now it won't take all that long & it may heal completely. I've had no knee pain since my therapy over a year ago (& feel nothing when I do step aerobics & lunges!) If I had let mine go for a few years I may have been looking at surgery, arthritis...

ittybittybadonkadonk · October 2009

I have tendonitis in my knees from running on asphalt so no more running for me :sad:

knee pain....

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