Running - Knee Pain
 

In the summer, fall and in previous years I had run a few times per week 2-5 miles per run. I'm 22, in good shape, lift weights, and mix in basketball, racquetball etc. During December/January, I rarely ran and it was on the treadmill, but played basketball and did the stairmaster enough so I was getting 2-3 cardios per week.

Sometime in February, I was able to make it outside for the first time to run 2-3 miles at an easy pace. After less than 2 miles, I had to stop because of pain in my right knee. I figured it's because I hadn't run much lately and took a few days off. A few days later, I ran again and had the same knee pains after about 1.5 miles.

So, I took well over a week off from running and my roommate gave me an Original Cho-Pat Knee Strap (his dad is a Chiropractor). This seemed to help quite a bit with preventing the knee pain, although towards the end of the 3 miles I could start to feel some mild pain my right knee. Without the strap, I imagine I would have had to stop after a couple miles. I only ran a couple times in March, but want to get back to a few times a week.

Has anyone experienced this? I googled it and it seems to be very similar to what people call "runners knee." I have never previously had knee pains and I was running up to 5-8 miles on my weekly long runs in the Fall.

I know I should probably just go to the doctor, but an advice would help! Thanks.

Re: Running - Knee Pain
 

Running is very bad for your knees. Stop running. Also, basketball is also hard on your knees. If you don't want knee pain for the rest of your life you should stop basketball and running immediately. There are basically no cures for this stuff, just prevention and minimization.

Re: Running - Knee Pain
 

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Running is very bad for your knees. Stop running. Also, basketball is also hard on your knees. If you don't want knee pain for the rest of your life you should stop basketball and running immediately. There are basically no cures for this stuff, just prevention and minimization.

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Wow, just wow...

Re: Running - Knee Pain
 

I have very little knowledge about running and knee phsyiology. Yet, I think cbloom is kidding/being extreme.

Re: Running - Knee Pain
 

Where is the pain on the knee? Outside? Inside? Center? Back?

Re: Running - Knee Pain
 

i don't get some people...you have pain when you run and know that if you want to continue running you should see a doctor, yet you want people that are not doctors or trainers to diagnose over the internet? just go see your doctor or stop running...

Re: Running - Knee Pain
 

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Where is the pain on the knee? Outside? Inside? Center? Back?

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Behind the knee cap. Symptom's similar to "runner's knee".

Re: Running - Knee Pain
 

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i don't get some people...you have pain when you run and know that if you want to continue running you should see a doctor, yet you want people that are not doctors or trainers to diagnose over the internet? just go see your doctor or stop running...

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I did some searches on the internet and described the symptoms to a chiropractor. He said I most likely have runner's knee and hence why I got a band that would help prevent it.

I was wondering if anyone has gone through similar problems. If I start running again and the pain continues, I will go to the doctor.

Re: Running - Knee Pain
 

thirddan,

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i don't get some people...you have pain when you run and know that if you want to continue running you should see a doctor, yet you want people that are not doctors or trainers to diagnose over the internet? just go see your doctor or stop running...

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This really isn't completely true. You are right that going and seeing a specialist would be easy to do but there are plenty of knowledgeable posters on this board (skunkworks, burrito, many others I can't think of right now) that can help...I mean if he does a little reading he can help himself out. This doesn't sound like a meniscus tear or bucket handle tear, this obviously isn't ligament damage b/c of his ability to laterally move ("I'm 22, in good shape, lift weights, and mix in basketball, racquetball etc.") as well as no description of severe pain.

Typically you can grade your pain yourself 1-4

1- Pain a few hours after exercise, maybe a tightness in a calf in the evening after a run or a dull pain in your knee that night. This level the problem is minor and a lot of times isn't noticed. These injuries don't change the running program but are the first sign of overuse and the first sign of problems to come.

2- Some discomfort during the run but doesn't hurt your performance. That tightness or pain you felt in the evening is now what you feel during your runs. Now you need to really pay attention to what is going on to your body to avoid serious injury. Most injuries are overuse injuries and your muscular skeletal system is breaking down, some injuries are mechanical.

3- These are more severe. These injuries limit your training and performance. Adjustments must be made in your training schedule and medical advice may be needed.

4- These injuries are so severe that running is impossible and treatment is mandatory--you can't even walk w/o pain.

First, as runner you need to know these different levels of pain and how your body feels. Be aware of you feel when you run and know WHY your body starts to breakdown, is it b/c of overuse or am I simply running incorrectly? Most running injuries require rest, during this rest simply cross-train, get on a bike or in a pool.

The next thing is to know the injuries and why they occur.

This post could get really long if I started to list all the injuries, explained them and why they become injured. So just be aware of "Runner's Knee" (chondromalacia? patella), Achilles tendinitis, shinsplints, plantar fasciitis, Iliotibial band syndrome, stress fractures, sciatica.

The reason going to the doctor isn't always the IMMEDIATE thing to do is that under almost every situation the doc is going to say, "you have a couple stress fractures from overuse, or you have runner's knee or whatever, get some rest, ice, take some anti-inflammatory," and then pay the man his money when you already know that you should have been resting, icing etc. and that knowledge was free.

Re: Running - Knee Pain
 

If you're ever in the Irvine area, tdarko, I will make sweet, sweet love to you and your fitness advice.

Re: Running - Knee Pain
 

tdarko,

nice post...my main problem is that op said he ran felt pain, ran felt pain, ran felt pain got strap, ran felt pain...didn't seem like he did any homework to find out what was up, other than going to google and finding out that it was runners knee...he didn't say that he iced it or whatever...so if he isn't gonna do the research (possibly just didn't write it out) then he should go see a doctor rather than just keep trying to run on it and feeling pain...

i get similar irritation from people that want fitness programs but take the time to check out actual weight lifting forums and get professional advice...

Re: Running - Knee Pain
 

All the trainers and doctors I've ever spoken with and dealt with say that running injuries are the toughest types to diagnose and treat properly. The majority of problems people have are overuse related as oppposed to trauma type torn ligament football injuries. The best treatment for many running injuries is simply stretching, ice, massage and time off. (Bike instead or something.)

As far as the "runner's knee" diagnosis - tdarko is spot on. That should send up red flags right away. You could be having problems with tendonitis, IT bands, plica, or something else and it will just get called "runner's knee."

Re: Running - Knee Pain
 

skunkworks,

lol, [img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img].

thirddan,

I see your point and it is very fair. I just wanted him to know the information that was available and you to know that running to the doctor is kind of like a Catch-22--like what StaticShock explains in his post about the difficulty in the diagnosis and the treatments being the same across the board.

FWIW, 3 months ago I had Achilles tendinitis b/c of my crappy foot strike when I run, I overpronate really badly. Even the stiffest motion control shoes are no match for my foot strike. I wear orthotics, the professional molded kind but the ones I had were shot and I needed new ones at the time. So my Achilles started to hurt and I immediately took a few days off instead of lowering the miles. When I started back up it kept hurting.

I knew that this problem was going to persist unless I took probably 4-6 weeks off from running--but even then eventually my foot strike combined with the amount of miles I was logging would trigger the injury up again eventually, so I went to my podiatrist and got fitted for new orthotics that were formed to fix my Achilles tendinitis problem (overpronation) and voila it was gone very quickly. That was a case where I knew how to fix it and didn't feel like CT'ing for 4-6 weeks, plus this was a mechanical injury that needed to be fixed.

Re: Running - Knee Pain
 

tdarko,

Thanks for the great advice.

I've haven't run for a few weeks and plan to run tonight... I'll see how it goes.

The route I run isn't the best for reducing the stress from impact. I usually run up to and around campus which includes plenty of concrete and hills. I should stick to the track or indoor track, but running 12 laps around a track is really boring.

Re: Running - Knee Pain
 

I have had knee issues for years and also play basketball 1-2 times/week and run some (wife is a marathoner) up to 7 or 8 miles. My issue (after seeing orthopedic last fall) was diagnosed arthritis. Pain followed by swelling forced me to the doctor.

I'm 37 years old and workout in some fashion 4-5 days/week. My non-clinical advice for knees:

1) ice after if swelling
2) stretching (number of types given to me by physical therapist--calf stretch, flexor stretch/strengthening, pretzel stretch)
3) strengthen muscles around the knee (lunges, front squats --not necessarily the heaviest weights but build up)

Knees are a bitch. Problems in other areas (leg alignment like me--I'm knock-kneed a bit / weak hip flexors /weak quads/hamstrings) can all end up in knee pain.

In the past 6 months since I've been stretching and lifting weights with better exercises I've seen great results. Exercises I've done:

Lunges or Walking lunges 3 sets x 10 reps x (2)35lb dumblls
Front squat in track machine (not sure if right term)
10 reps x 90 lbs
10 reps x 110 lbs
10 reps x 140 lbs (increasing these amounts)
Squat while standing on 2 half yoga balls with toes pointing out: 1 80-90 lbs dumbl, 3 sets x 12 reps

My quads are stronger and my knee doesn't hurt/swell as much playing hoops. No magic device for me [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img], just weights & stretching.

Re: Running - Knee Pain
 

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The route I run isn't the best for reducing the stress from impact. I usually run up to and around campus which includes plenty of concrete and hills. I should stick to the track or indoor track, but running 12 laps around a track is really boring.

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I'll also add to run on trails if you have access due to following:

1) added benefit of strengthening support muscles/joints in ankles & legs / increased balance
2) running on grass/dirt is MUCH easier on the joints, reduces pounding from concrete
3) usually much more enjoyable view to run in natural surroundings

Re: Running - Knee Pain
 

I was totally serious in my OP. I don't understand why people keep running when they have knee pain. Okay, if you just like love running then you can find a way to manage the damage, but it's just wrecking your body and you're going to suffer. I can't tell you how many people who are 40-50 and just have wrecked knees from running or basketball. There are so many other exercises you can do that won't wreck your body.

Re: Running - Knee Pain
 

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I was totally serious in my OP. I don't understand why people keep running when they have knee pain. Okay, if you just like love running then you can find a way to manage the damage, but it's just wrecking your body and you're going to suffer. I can't tell you how many people who are 40-50 and just have wrecked knees from running or basketball. There are so many other exercises you can do that won't wreck your body.

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I discovered spinning as a cardio option to running last fall when my knee was hurting. It's great, joints don't hurt, good sweat, heartrate elevated. Thought I was in decent shape.

Until I tried to run this spring for first time...I might try actual biking too, but for me cardio benefits of running/basketball >>>> spinning