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"Runner's Knee"...? (Read 1367 times)

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rectumdamnnearkilledem

    I only managed to get one run in while visiting my folks on the other side of Lake MI and it was sorta miserable. Now that my right outer arch pain (almost certain this was tendonitis) has all but subsided it seems to have traded places with what I am pretty certain is "runner's knee" on my same troublesome right side. Great. Only was able to do a single 5.5 mile run...the first mile of which was pretty uncomfortable (felt better for the remaining miles, but after stopping the issues came on with a vengeance). I ran a 15k race 2 days before heading to WI (with no physical issues whatsoever) and didn't run for the following 3 days due to driving and weather (HOT, humid, ghastly). I am having pain, difficulty fully straightening my leg if I am bearing weight, and going down hills is no fun. Also have a popping/snapping sensation while walking and some popping/cracking sound quite frequently (my knees have always done this, but without pain up until now). I almost wonder if all the time sitting in the car contributed...? Might some sort of knee brace help? I am DYING to get out for a run (and the vast increase in food on vaca. + vast decrease in mileage is making my ass grow with shocking speed), but not if it means being in pain or doing serious damage. Any specific braces/devices to recommend?

    Getting the wind knocked out of you is the only way to

    remind your lungs how much they like the taste of air.    

         ~ Sarah Kay

      Ughhhhhhhhhhhh so sorry to hear this!! I don't really have anything usefull to add other than I think a knee brace would really help. Dh says you might want to look into ITB stretches (he's had problems with his knees) Oh and I definetly think sitting in the car contributed. I've had back problems that started AFTER driving a tons (before my skiing accident). Good luck!

      Your toughness is made up of equal parts persistence and experience. You don't so much outrun your opponents as outlast and outsmart them, and the toughest opponent of all is the one inside your head." - Joe Henderson

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      rectumdamnnearkilledem

        Ughhhhhhhhhhhh so sorry to hear this!! I don't really have anything usefull to add other than I think a knee brace would really help. Dh says you might want to look into ITB stretches (he's had problems with his knees) Oh and I definetly think sitting in the car contributed. I've had back problems that started AFTER driving a tons (before my skiing accident). Good luck!
        Thanks, I think I will look at ITB stretches...can't hurt. I really believe that all the sitting had to be a factor. I mean, I ran 9.3 miles with no issue during or after the race and only developed problems a few days later--after no running. Though I did forget to mention that for the past month or so my right knee did feel sorta *weak*. No pain, but there would be times that I'd be running and feel like my knee was about ready to "give." Since there was no pain and it came and went I didn't really pay much attention to it. Figured it was just a sign that I needed to take it easier the next day. k

        Getting the wind knocked out of you is the only way to

        remind your lungs how much they like the taste of air.    

             ~ Sarah Kay


        Along for the Ride

          Zoomie, the crackling and popping might be a meniscus tear. You could have had it all along, but sometimes they "fold over" and cause inflammation and pain. Is the knee swollen? Your best bet is the Ortho / Sportsmedicine doc. There are certain "signs" if you have a torn meniscus. The knee is very delicate and has so many different structures - find out what it is so you can treat without delay. * sends healing vibes*.

          Your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so much by what happens to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens.

          Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars.

           

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          rectumdamnnearkilledem

            My knee doesn't appear any different from my other knee...but I'm not sure how noticeable swelling would be, as I have pretty pudgy knees. Wouldn't a meniscus tear hurt all the time? My MIL and 2 of her siblings had surgery for this. I *thought* I remember her saying that she had pain even at rest. I'm still going to plan to call my PCP about it after the 4th unless things change. I want to see what a few days of not being in the car do, too. k

            Getting the wind knocked out of you is the only way to

            remind your lungs how much they like the taste of air.    

                 ~ Sarah Kay

              hi kirsten. a brace is pretty unlikely to help i'd have thought as this will keep the knee in a straight line but doesn't stop you straightening/bending. it does sound a bit reminiscent of a miniscus tear. i had one ten years ago and they don't hurt all the time at all - in fact i was often in no pain at all, but then all of a sudden the torn bit gets caught in amongst the joint and ouch! but these knee injuries can all feel very similar so get yourself to a specialist doctor ASAP.
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              rectumdamnnearkilledem

                hi kirsten. a brace is pretty unlikely to help i'd have thought as this will keep the knee in a straight line but doesn't stop you straightening/bending.
                Ahhh...that does make sense. A couple of other things I thought of...after my race (any race, for that matter) my quads were really sore and tight for a few days. They were still sore when I made the long drive. I almost wonder if driving and not being able to have my leg straight or in a variety of positions while my muscles healed from the race effort are a factor. I could swear things are feeling better today--but it's likely all in my head.

                Getting the wind knocked out of you is the only way to

                remind your lungs how much they like the taste of air.    

                     ~ Sarah Kay

                  Sounds like runners knee to me. I've dealt with it on and off most of my running life, most recently this week. For me, it tends to come back when my running becomes sporadic, as in more days off than normal. Two things that also tend to contribute to my runners knee coming back are: 1.) sore quads such as after a long hilly race and, 2.) long car rides, especially if I'm the one driving.

                  Runners run

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                  rectumdamnnearkilledem

                    Sounds like runners knee to me. I've dealt with it on and off most of my running life, most recently this week. For me, it tends to come back when my running becomes sporadic, as in more days off than normal. Two things that also tend to contribute to my runners knee coming back are: 1.) sore quads such as after a long hilly race and, 2.) long car rides, especially if I'm the one driving.
                    *kisses mikeymike* I just got off the phone with my MIL who has had meniscus tear surgery and has run for years...she also thinks it is likely to be a simple case of runner's knee, as she has had short-term knee issues long before her meniscus problems after long car trips that meant less mobility/running than her body is accustomed to (with the meniscus tear she said she had pretty much constant pain, not just pain during weight-bearing movement). I think the recipe of race recovery + car ride (plus it's my right leg, ie my accelerator leg) is likely the cause. I'm going to attempt an easy run tonite and I have a cheap knee band thingy that I'm going to try to take help control my kneecap motion some. RICE is definitely on the menu, as well. k

                    Getting the wind knocked out of you is the only way to

                    remind your lungs how much they like the taste of air.    

                         ~ Sarah Kay

                      Runners run

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                      rectumdamnnearkilledem

                        Don't tell did! Wink Another thing I think I need to do is 2 days of full-body weight workouts, instead of 1 full body and 1 upper and abs. I think my legs could benefit from stronger support muscles for my knees. k

                        Getting the wind knocked out of you is the only way to

                        remind your lungs how much they like the taste of air.    

                             ~ Sarah Kay

                          I think my legs could benefit from stronger support muscles for my knees. k
                          Hmmm - now thats very true for me too.
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                          rectumdamnnearkilledem

                            I've been reading a bit about runner's knee and I have more than a few risk factors, including low arches, fairly high pronation, tight calves, and being female. I always think of myself as having strong thighs since I have fairly stocky legs, but weak inner thighs seem to lead to knee problems, so more pliƩ squats would be a good idea. I always have really sore quads the day after a race, so maybe my quads aren't as strong as I think. k

                            Getting the wind knocked out of you is the only way to

                            remind your lungs how much they like the taste of air.    

                                 ~ Sarah Kay


                            Along for the Ride

                              I've been reading a bit about runner's knee and I have more than a few risk factors, including low arches, fairly high pronation, tight calves, and being female. I always think of myself as having strong thighs since I have fairly stocky legs, but weak inner thighs seem to lead to knee problems, so more pliƩ squats would be a good idea. I always have really sore quads the day after a race, so maybe my quads aren't as strong as I think. k
                              Get "the stick". My arch issues and pain go away after I use the stick to massage out my peroneous and the calves in general. I ordered it off amazon.com for about $20. It feels like I am easing up knots I've had for along time ...

                              Your living is determined not so much by what life brings to you as by the attitude you bring to life; not so much by what happens to you as by the way your mind looks at what happens.

                              Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars.

                               

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                              rectumdamnnearkilledem

                                I've seen rave reviews of that little device numerous times on here. I think I may try to find one of those semi-circle calf-stretching devices, as well. I think my ILs actually have one of those, but I would imagine that my MIL may have use for it and not be willing to give it up. Just got back from an almost 4 mile run. First couple of miles were a bit uncomfortable, but things really felt better as I went. Had to come home when it became too dark to be out without reflective gear. Also figured it's a good idea to ease back into things. I'd like to attempt a long run in a few days (assuming things continue to improve). My knee (not to mention the rest of me) definitely seemed to be happy with the renewed activity. Smile k

                                Getting the wind knocked out of you is the only way to

                                remind your lungs how much they like the taste of air.    

                                     ~ Sarah Kay

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