Help! Runner's knee?

[Alcyon]

Hey all!  

I'm fairly new to running, but at it a few times a week over the summer.  Just got back from a short vacation, and did my first run since last Monday.  First 2 miles went really well, and then - the PAIN!  At first it only hurt when I was running - not pain with weight bearing or walking, but now (a few hours later), the pain is present even with standing.  I am icing now.  The pain is lateral, and seems to be where the IT band connects to the knee joint.  It is only very slightly sore to the touch, and there is a snapping sensation in posterior part of my knee and around the patella.  This snapping is not asociated with any pain.  

SO.  My hope is that with ice and rest, plenty of Advil and arnica, I'll be fit as a fiddle by THURSDAY when I am climbing Mount Katahdin in Maine - a trip that has been planned for quite some time.  I have a knee sleeve and treking poles.  I can also foam roll between now and then.  If the pain is gone by then (there isn't any noticeable swelling or reddness, will I be able to do this??  Any insight or advice? 

[WillowTheWhisp]

That certainly sounds like runner's knee. There's really no telling how long it will take before you are back to normal but I honestly would not recommend doing any strenuous activity until the joint is properly healed. I know that's probably not what you want to hear but you are doing the right thing with ice and Advil. Try to rest with the joint elevated.

---

---

[Mcore]

Ouch! I definitely recommend consulting a doctor before you go to your trip. I'm sure he/she will give you useful recommendations so you can feel better and avoid any pain while you are climbing Mount Katahdin. 

I wish you the best of luck!

[Alcyon]

Thanks all,

Made it up the mountain pain-free (or as much as can possibly be avoided) with the help of Advil, arnica, and lots of Young Living Ortho Sport Massage Oil.  The hiking poles were also key.  

Still struggling with the ole IT band/runner's knee issue, but I'm finding I can avoid pain while running by alternating walking and sprinting (vs. a jog/steady pace).  

 

[Mcore]

That's wonderful news @Alcyon, congratulations!  Take great care of yourself, hopefully in time you will feel better.

Have a fantastic rest of the week my friend. 

[Ozzie65]

Hi @Alcyon - Glad your climb went well! I do suggest that you see a doctor, however, to ensure that there isn't something else going on. Chances are it's minor, but in that you are continuing to be active, I'd hate for you to be doing more damage to your knee. Just my very humble opinion!

[Mcore]

It's always a good idea to consult a doctor just to be sure everything is ok and like @Ozzie65 said to avoid doing more damage to your knee.

Have a great day everyone!

[williamhj]

I agree with those who suggest see a doctor.  Ask for  referral to Physical Therapy.  I got 'runner's knee' shortly after I started running and a few trips to PT and doing the exercises they gave me has solved the problem.  It can be painful but if it is the IT band issue the physical therapy should be able to help.

[TandemWalker]

You know @Alcyon, reading your last post, I'm concerned that over time you run the risk of aggravating your condition, prolong the issue and lengthen recovery time.

When we feel pain, that's our body giving us a warning that it needs some recovery time. Of course, I agree with all the others posts suggesting to see a doctor and get some physio.

But the point I want to stress is that we have to listen to those messages our body sends us. Doing otherwise, taken to an extreme, could result in more severe damage and long-term chronic issues, I think.

_________________________________________________________________________________

    TW     

[art435]

I would suggest to add walk into your run.   After a recent training and running a ten miler, my knees and theighs were quite sore,   The run store that I used suggested learning about Jeff Galloway Run-Walk-Run.  So I bought one of his books and for the past three weeks I have been using R-W-W for recovery,  So far I am both impressed and feeling much  better.   Legs feel good enough for a 5K next weekend.

I downloaded a couple of Jeff's books on Barnes and Noble