Cascading injuries... toes now knee (Read 509 times)

I haven't been able to run since mid-December and really starting get a little worried. About a week before Christmas, I did a ~10 mile total (a few breaks) trail run. My feet and knees were a little sore, but nothing I haven't had before and some rest and Advil didn't fix. Up until that time, I had been experiencing some MN type symptoms but for whatever reason this run I didn't get them. I was feeling great the next day and did 4 miles on a road then 3 miles 2 days later. After the 3 miler, I developed some pain in my left knee and it just hasn't gone away. Now if I walk more than a few hundred yards, the pain comes back. The only way I can describe it is a sharp pain at the 5 o'clock position (12 being the top of my shin). I went to the dr and he said it was bursitis. I've followed his orders (RICE, NSAIDs, etc) and it hasn't really gotten better. There's no major swelling. It seems worse if I walk/run down hill. Steps and uphill is no problem. I'm starting to worry it's something worse like chonromalacia. Has anyone here had some thing similar? What did you do?

I can't give you a diagnosis but perhaps a bit of sympathy. Looks like you have been running about the same time as me - I have had 2 knee injuries since April 2006 when I started. The first one (pain inside of right knee) gave me all sorts of doom and gloom and visions of my new running career being over before it had really started. I had no choice but to stop running until I felt no more pain when putting more than walking pressure on my knee. I did the same as you with RICE etc. It took 3 weeks to become totally pain free and then I started back to careful walk/jog. I did find that biking was not a problem with my injury so I kept up my aerobic fitness by doing more cycling. Is that possible for you?? If no improvement by the end of January perhaps you should go back to the doctor or get a second opinion. I did notice that 10 miles was a big jump in mileage for you so when you get back to running it might be more prudent to build up your mileage in smaller increments. I'm guilty of exactly the same thing but when inevitably something goes 'twang' you think "bugger why did I do that?" By then of course its too late. Hope you get back to running soon. Good luck.

I haven't even tried to run. I usually start off my runs with a short walk. When even that hurts, I get a little hesitant to increase the pressure on my knee. The pain is right next to my quad, on the backside edge of my patella. You are absolutely right about my jump in distance. I really didn't plan on running that far. We weren't sure how far "out and back" really was. It was just a good day to run and we wanted to maximize our time out there. I figured it was about 7 (my max at the time) but it was not and when you add hills into the mix it was probably the equivalent of more. I do try to bike every chance I get however it's just not as convenient to do so during my normal running times. I feel like the RICE is good and all, but nixed everytime I get up to walk, or at least that's what it feels like. I may just have to do what you did by totatlly not working it for a while and start from scratch. During those 3 weeks did you use any crutches? I appreciate the advice.

During those 3 weeks did you use any crutches? I appreciate the advice.

No but I could just tell from walking that running would be too painful. I would avoid any prolonged walking as well at the moment. If you seriously feel the need for crutches then your pain is definitely more severe than mine and you should perhaps seek further advice.