Knee pain (Read 1737 times)

I have had a sore knee(below the knee cap) since February. At the time I was increasing my mileage while training for a marathon. It hasn't been painful while I am running just after wards. I decreased for a couple months and it did not change.  I am currently training for another marathon and it has gotten worse. I now have a lump where the pain is and it is painful while running. I did suck it up and go to the Dr. a month ago and he thought it was just "runners knee" or an over use problem; I could keep running and it wouldn't get worse but wouldn't get better. I was fine with that because I didn't want to quit training ! I am now wondering if it could be something more, the pain is increasing and my knee gave out during a run. I have my marathon in three weeks and will decrease my mileage significantly afterward. Just wondering if any one has experienced this and if it does sound like over use or something more?

It does sound a lot like "runners knee".  The feeling of giving out is one symptom.

If your marathon is three weeks out, you should be tapering anyway since your training phase is done.  Cut your mileage and be aggressive on icing and stretching.  Ice it 2-3 times a day minimum.

Couple of good articles.

http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-241-285--7773-0,00.html

http://www.webmd.com/pain-management/knee-pain/runners-knee

"Patellar tendon pain can occur in a number of different sports, most commonly in those that load the area (eg, weightlifting) but also in jumping sports and those that produce significant deceleration forces through the tendon, eg, basketball, squash, fencing, jumpers and field sports with high traction forces (such as hockey played on Astroturf). All patellar tendon pain was once referred to as ‘jumper’s knee’."

They don't even mention running as a possible source of patellar tendonitis.  Sorry, but I'd ignore that possibility as your symptoms don't match, IMHO.

It ended up being diagnosed as Patellar tendonitis after being told it was runners knee, 6 weeks no running and now PT. Atleast he will let me run every other day! It never hurts to get a 2nd opinion! The first Doc told me I could keep running on it and it wouldn't do any harm..oops!

What did they tell you to do to treat patellar tendinitis?

Yes, Please share.  I'm still doing the eccentric exercises (slant board) I linked above for my "jumpers knee" as well as leg lifts and hip flexors to help strengthen the overall knee.  My PT thought my root cause was a muscle imbalance combined with over use.

I am consistently running 40 to 60 mpw again with no relapse as of yet.  I also had to take about 6 weeks off to let it heal up. I am curious to hear what they have you doing. 

Hey Guys,

Thanks for sharing your valuable thought, The knees in most of our body movements. With continuous bone to bone contact, the cartilage can wear out. For that reason knee joint pain is among the most frequent troubles amongst seniors these days. It is typically a part of getting old.

Nice to meet you
John Messick