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[treehugger1]

Well, it was bound to happen eventually, I suppose.

When I went out yesterday, I was slowed down by knee pain that intensified as I ran (instead of fading away as all my other aches and pains have done). It hurt 1) on the top side of my knee towards the inside 2) under my knee (in the kneepit) and 3) along the outer side of my thigh. It hurt the most when I extended my leg instead of when I flexed it.  It also felt as if the physiodynamics of my leg were out of whack -- a bit like I had slightly twisted my knee.

It also hurt after I stopped ... in spite of ice and an Ibuprofin. Today the pain is mainly gone, but the leg is still feeling strangely stiff.

I've already made an appointment with my MD for Monday. But was wondering what I could/should be doing in the mean time. I particularly want to keep up with at least some kind of exercise program. I was running to keep other physical problems I have at bay and don't want them cropping back up. Besides, I've realized just how much I love to exercise (and conversely, how depressing it is to have to stop).

So, what do you Forumites/runners think this might be? Are there any stretches/exercises I could do now to help it? Or should I just take the conservative approach and rest it? Do you think crosstraining might be OK? I'm thinking cycling or swimming. Or do you think that might just aggravate the problem?

Anyone?

[msparticularity]

I have many joint issues, and my various medical practitioners have always suggested swimming, so that seems like an appropriate alternative. The caveat, of course, is that you shouldn't do it if it actually hurts--as opposed to the normal achiness you are familiar with.

I was a long-distance runner for many years, and my joints just can't take it any more. I mostly walk now, since the chlorine is death on my skin and lungs. I have found that if I get to the right speed/state of exertion and maintain it, then I can get into something resembling "the zone" that I used to feel running when the endorphins kick in. My joints do get stiff and achy, but in the normal way as opposed to having acute pain.

[scampster]

That seems like a weird combo of pains - hopefully your MD can figure it out! The outside of the thigh sounds like IT band. I have a friend with really bad IT band problems and pretty much if it hurts at all, she has to rest it. And if it starts hurting, she has to stop or else she will end up incapacitated for a few days. Cycling always irritates it too for her - I think swimming is really your best option. If your knee hurts at all while you swim, you can use a pull buoy and not use your legs.

I hate running injuries!

[treehugger1]

Thanks msparticularity and scampster.

I don't particularly enjoy swimming, but do own a pool (mainly because Mr. Treehugger loves to swim), so maybe I'll try that for a few days.

scampster -- I know, it does sound like a strange combo. I am thinking IT band + something else? Or maybe just a strange presentation of IT band. Anyway, I too hope my MD will have more insight into the matter.

msparticularity -- sorry to hear that you can no longer run, but happy to hear that you can get into the zone anyway. I love to walk too; so maybe I'll wind up doing more of it. Besides, when you walk, you get to enjoy the scenery a bit more. :-)

[allez]

Hey there - sorry you're having this pain!  Are you in a snowy area?  I love running in the snow, but I've found it definitely stresses my knees more.

The pain you're having sounds to me like a combination of patellar tendonitis (the knee cap area pain) and ITBS (lateral pain).  Stretching is probably not a great idea until the inflammation is gone, so until then I'd recommend just rest, ice, and NSAIDs.

Hopefully it's just a little inflammation that will pass and allow you to get back out there!  If not, you might want to try pool running.

[treehugger1]

Hey there - sorry you're having this pain!  Are you in a snowy area?  I love running in the snow, but I've found it definitely stresses my knees more.

No, no snow here. But I do do about 1/3 of my miles X-country -- running on fields, hiking paths and dirt roads instead of on sidewalks or paved roads. I do this because: 1) it's more fun 2) I thought the softer surface would be easier on my joints. Could I be wrong about this?

[prof_smartypants]

For the IT band issues, you can do some myo-fascial rolling (or get one of these: http://www.thestick.com/index.cfm)

I use a foam roller (http://www.diet-blog.com/archives/2008/02/18/the_mighty_foam_roller.php) at the gym to loosen up my IT band - my PT swears by fascia rolling for this type of stuff. It's probably connected to your knee pain, too.

Absent one of these types of devices, you can use a tennis ball or some other kind of squishy ball and use your body weight to roll back and forth. It hurts like a b!tch, but it definitely loosens everything up, the same way a massage would.

[allez]

Hey there - sorry you're having this pain!  Are you in a snowy area?  I love running in the snow, but I've found it definitely stresses my knees more.

No, no snow here. But I do do about 1/3 of my miles X-country -- running on fields, hiking paths and dirt roads instead of on sidewalks or paved roads. I do this because: 1) it's more fun 2) I thought the softer surface would be easier on my joints. Could I be wrong about this?

Nah, I doubt it.  If anything, off-road running has made me stronger.  The only possibility, I think, would be if you just started doing it.

How are your shoes?

[treehugger1]

Hey there - sorry you're having this pain!  Are you in a snowy area?  I love running in the snow, but I've found it definitely stresses my knees more.

No, no snow here. But I do do about 1/3 of my miles X-country -- running on fields, hiking paths and dirt roads instead of on sidewalks or paved roads. I do this because: 1) it's more fun 2) I thought the softer surface would be easier on my joints. Could I be wrong about this?

Nah, I doubt it.  If anything, off-road running has made me stronger.  The only possibility, I think, would be if you just started doing it.

How are your shoes?

I just got new ones (New Balance Training Shoes) about a month ago.

Today I went on a 30 minutes moderately paced walk and felt not pain, but more or less constant discomfort. Now it seems to be located mainly in the kneepit and up the underside of my thigh. Hmmm.

[see_wolf]

Hey there - sorry you're having this pain!  Are you in a snowy area?  I love running in the snow, but I've found it definitely stresses my knees more.

No, no snow here. But I do do about 1/3 of my miles X-country -- running on fields, hiking paths and dirt roads instead of on sidewalks or paved roads. I do this because: 1) it's more fun 2) I thought the softer surface would be easier on my joints. Could I be wrong about this?

Nah, I doubt it.  If anything, off-road running has made me stronger.  The only possibility, I think, would be if you just started doing it.

How are your shoes?

I just got new ones (New Balance Training Shoes) about a month ago.

Today I went on a 30 minutes moderately paced walk and felt not pain, but more or less constant discomfort. Now it seems to be located mainly in the kneepit and up the underside of my thigh. Hmmm.

By kneepit – do you mean behind your knee? 

If your discomfort is located behind the knee and underside of thigh, sounds like you are having a hamstring or calf muscle problem.  Both cross the knee joint.  You may have over strode (hyperextending the knee) and slightly strained either or both of them.

The lateral thigh pain sounds like IT band issues, and the anterior knee pain could be “runner’s knee” (which could be any number of knee conditions).  If you over strode, both could be causing these issues.

Best way to help decrease the discomfort (as others have mentioned) is to ice (ice, and ice), take your NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naprosyn as you can), and GENTLY stretch your legs.  Hamstrings, quads, calf, groin, ITB…. Nice and easy, 30 second hold, 3 times.  Stretching should not cause more pain – so don’t overdo it.

Cross training (cycling, swimming) is ok as long as it does not aggravate your symptoms…

[macaroon]

I've been told you shouldn't stretch a hamstring until it's healed.

Sorry to hear this, treehugger. 

[see_wolf]

I've been told you shouldn't stretch a hamstring until it's healed.

Sorry to hear this, treehugger. 

You can stretch any muscle while it's healing... just be best to do a self-stretch, so it is not pushed too hard.  A stretch shouldn't hurt, just go to the point where one 'feels it' a bit. 

Of course, stretching is best after warming up... a few minutes of bike or brisk walking!

[treehugger1]

Well, I saw the MD today. He thought it might be some kind of cyst and gave me referrals for X-ray and ultrasond. He also mentioned *all* the others possible forms of treatment -- a kind of throw-the-kitchen-sink at it approach: heat/ice/knee brace/sports creams/prescription anti-inflammatories (which I refused)/stretching/exercise w/ weights. He did not however want to give me a referral for a physical therapist, or tell me when I could start exercising again.

I've decided to educate myself about stretching/weighted exercise on-line and try the conservative approach before going for X-rays, etc. I am not very good about stretching; so, this might indeed be the problem.

[msparticularity]

I am not very good about stretching; so, this might indeed be the problem.

Ah, yes--another luxury of youth that meets the shredder of middle aged reality! :)

(Not that you're middle-aged yet; my body changed quite dramatically around 30, and then again around 40.)

[treehugger1]

I am not very good about stretching; so, this might indeed be the problem.

Ah, yes--another luxury of youth that meets the shredder of middle aged reality! :)

(Not that you're middle-aged yet; my body changed quite dramatically around 30, and then again around 40.)

Oh yes, I am. I'm 45 and my body has definitely changed. It's just that I've actually hurt myself by over-stretching in the past, so I've probably swung to far to the other side in an attempt to compensate.