Runner's knee - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

ktspktsp · 05-30-2005, 04:09 PM

Hi people,

I'm starting this thread about a particular knee problem that I have. I'm wondering if someone has had it or knows about it.

I've never been that active in the past. About a year ago I started going to the gym, dragged by my roommate. At that point, the only activity I did was biking between the house / the university / the town (small distances, but at least it was something)

I started running at the gym (there was a running track there), and found out that I really liked it. After a month or two I was doing 5k twice a week, which made me feel good about myself.

However, I started feelin a pain on the inside of my left knee when biking (just for transportation), when flexing my knee. Gradually it felt worse and I had to cut biking and running since they both caused this pain.

I went to a doctor who told me I had runner's knee (aka patellofemoral pain syndrome). He prescribed some stretches for me to do (after letting it rest for a while).

Basically, my kneecap seems to lean more towards the inside than it should, thus rubbing on cartilage at times.

I did that for a bit (not religiously, to be honest), but never felt much better.
I would feel fine when I rested it for a while, but once I would pick up something like running / biking it would hurt again. I went to a physical therapy session too, for the stretching.

After that, things were hectic a bit for me, and I stopped working out and sort of forgot about my knee (it would still hurt sometimes, but I wasn't running/biking anymore).

After getting a job (with insurance

) I went to another doctor, highly recommended by an office mate. He's a Doctor of Osteopathic manipulative medicine, not an MD. Anyway, he twisted me around and my knee felt a bit better... But after using a stationary bike for 15 minutes (rather casually, nothing intense) I felt that pain again. I went there a second time and he did the same thing, though results weren't that good this time.

It seems to me that this doctor fixed a symptom, but not the problem, which is probably due to some muscular imbalance in my quads.

So, I plan on getting an appointment with another doctor this week, and hoping he would suggest proper exercises for me (not just stretching..)

I know a doctor's diagnosis will be better than an online one, so I'm not asking for a cure. However, I would like to hear from other people who have had this problem, and how they solved it.

Thanks.

PS: One more thing, I'm gonna try to get an appointment with a doctor specializing in orthopedics. Is that the right discipline for my problem?

stevie667 · 05-31-2005, 01:52 PM

Have you tried using a knee support when exercising?

I've got loads of problems with my hips and knees due to flat feet, they're all twisted and warped, and i find that when my knees start to play up a nice fabric (the neoprene ones just get sweaty and nasty) support does wonders.

Beyond that, i can't really help beyond offering lots of good luck and wellwishing on the road to recovery!

Kryptik · 05-31-2005, 08:30 PM

Wish I could help. I've been dealing with iliotibial band syndrome, which is pain on the outside of the knee during the same activities. I ended up swimming instead of running. Even when I walk 18 holes on the golf course, I'll get the pain. I went to the orthopedic, did PT, did all the stretches they said, and it never got much better.

Look into alternatives for the short term. Swimming is good because it is non-weightbearing.

abaya · 05-31-2005, 09:49 PM

Just curious, has anyone tried using Smartfeet insoles/orthopedic inserts to help correct knee and back problems? I got some the other day at REI and the salespeople were adamant about how important it was to have support on the arches, to make sure the bones were aligned. I'm curious if this might be helpful for ktspktsp, if anyone has experience with those (in addition to knee supports, which my running friends have used often).

stevie667 · 06-01-2005, 02:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abaya

Just curious, has anyone tried using Smartfeet insoles/orthopedic inserts to help correct knee and back problems? I got some the other day at REI and the salespeople were adamant about how important it was to have support on the arches, to make sure the bones were aligned. I'm curious if this might be helpful for ktspktsp, if anyone has experience with those (in addition to knee supports, which my running friends have used often).

I've also got orthopedic soles to help out my feet (went to a specialist hospital clinic and everything) with insoles, and DAMN do they work. Like i said before, i have flat feet, so they made up some soles which are all contoured and adjusted.
I used to get hip and knee pain all the time, i'd have to sit down when walking around because of it, but now it's a hell of alot better.

Despite the fact that sounded disturbingly like an infomercial, they're definatly worth considering, just make sure you go to a specialist place instead of a shop. The sole you'll get will be 10x better.

abaya · 06-01-2005, 10:52 AM

^ The folks at REI said that a lot of people spend money on the orthopedic soles, but that most people actually are fine w/Smartfeet. He said orthopedics are for severe problems. So I guess it just depends on the severity...

Janey · 06-01-2005, 11:09 AM

I think that runner's get the best descriptions for their pains. In the past I've had:

plantar fasciitis
iliotibial band syndrome

now this patellofemoral pain syndrome... how exotic, something to look forwards to...

thingstodo · 06-01-2005, 04:31 PM

Here's a pretty good site for rehab exercises....

http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/sma/sma_jumpersk_rex.htm

ktspktsp · 06-01-2005, 06:14 PM

Thanks for the advice everyone.

The first doctor told me that a knee support wouldn't help. However I'm still tempted to try one, it won't hurt anyway. And the foot soles might be a good idea.

thingstodo, thanks for the link. Although the page you linked too is about jumper's knee (patellar tendonitis). My problem is runner's knee, aka pattelofemoral pain syndrome (wonderful words, I know); and there is a page about it on this site: http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/guides/knee/kneeart.htm .
I tried some of this stuff before but I didn't help.. I might give it another shot, more seriously this time.

05-30-2005, 04:09 PM	#1 (permalink)
ktspktsp Addict Location: Reykjavik, Iceland	Runner's knee Hi people, I'm starting this thread about a particular knee problem that I have. I'm wondering if someone has had it or knows about it. I've never been that active in the past. About a year ago I started going to the gym, dragged by my roommate. At that point, the only activity I did was biking between the house / the university / the town (small distances, but at least it was something) I started running at the gym (there was a running track there), and found out that I really liked it. After a month or two I was doing 5k twice a week, which made me feel good about myself. However, I started feelin a pain on the inside of my left knee when biking (just for transportation), when flexing my knee. Gradually it felt worse and I had to cut biking and running since they both caused this pain. I went to a doctor who told me I had runner's knee (aka patellofemoral pain syndrome). He prescribed some stretches for me to do (after letting it rest for a while). Basically, my kneecap seems to lean more towards the inside than it should, thus rubbing on cartilage at times. I did that for a bit (not religiously, to be honest), but never felt much better. I would feel fine when I rested it for a while, but once I would pick up something like running / biking it would hurt again. I went to a physical therapy session too, for the stretching. After that, things were hectic a bit for me, and I stopped working out and sort of forgot about my knee (it would still hurt sometimes, but I wasn't running/biking anymore). After getting a job (with insurance ) I went to another doctor, highly recommended by an office mate. He's a Doctor of Osteopathic manipulative medicine, not an MD. Anyway, he twisted me around and my knee felt a bit better... But after using a stationary bike for 15 minutes (rather casually, nothing intense) I felt that pain again. I went there a second time and he did the same thing, though results weren't that good this time. It seems to me that this doctor fixed a symptom, but not the problem, which is probably due to some muscular imbalance in my quads. So, I plan on getting an appointment with another doctor this week, and hoping he would suggest proper exercises for me (not just stretching..) I know a doctor's diagnosis will be better than an online one, so I'm not asking for a cure. However, I would like to hear from other people who have had this problem, and how they solved it. Thanks. PS: One more thing, I'm gonna try to get an appointment with a doctor specializing in orthopedics. Is that the right discipline for my problem?

05-31-2005, 01:52 PM	#2 (permalink)
stevie667 Too Awesome for Aardvarks Location: Angloland	Have you tried using a knee support when exercising? I've got loads of problems with my hips and knees due to flat feet, they're all twisted and warped, and i find that when my knees start to play up a nice fabric (the neoprene ones just get sweaty and nasty) support does wonders. Beyond that, i can't really help beyond offering lots of good luck and wellwishing on the road to recovery! __________________ Office hours have changed. Please call during office hours for more information.

05-31-2005, 09:49 PM	#4 (permalink)
abaya Location: Iceland	Just curious, has anyone tried using Smartfeet insoles/orthopedic inserts to help correct knee and back problems? I got some the other day at REI and the salespeople were adamant about how important it was to have support on the arches, to make sure the bones were aligned. I'm curious if this might be helpful for ktspktsp, if anyone has experience with those (in addition to knee supports, which my running friends have used often). __________________ And think not you can direct the course of Love; for Love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course. --Khalil Gibran

06-01-2005, 10:52 AM	#6 (permalink)
abaya Location: Iceland	^ The folks at REI said that a lot of people spend money on the orthopedic soles, but that most people actually are fine w/Smartfeet. He said orthopedics are for severe problems. So I guess it just depends on the severity... __________________ And think not you can direct the course of Love; for Love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course. --Khalil Gibran

06-01-2005, 04:31 PM	#8 (permalink)
thingstodo A Storm Is Coming Location: The Great White North	Here's a pretty good site for rehab exercises.... http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/sma/sma_jumpersk_rex.htm __________________ If you're wringing your hands you can't roll up your shirt sleeves. Stangers have the best candy.

05-31-2005, 08:30 PM	#3 (permalink)
Kryptik Upright	Wish I could help. I've been dealing with iliotibial band syndrome, which is pain on the outside of the knee during the same activities. I ended up swimming instead of running. Even when I walk 18 holes on the golf course, I'll get the pain. I went to the orthopedic, did PT, did all the stretches they said, and it never got much better. Look into alternatives for the short term. Swimming is good because it is non-weightbearing.

06-01-2005, 11:09 AM	#7 (permalink)
Janey Junkie Location: Toronto	I think that runner's get the best descriptions for their pains. In the past I've had: plantar fasciitis iliotibial band syndrome now this patellofemoral pain syndrome... how exotic, something to look forwards to...

06-01-2005, 06:14 PM	#9 (permalink)
ktspktsp Addict Location: Reykjavik, Iceland	Thanks for the advice everyone. The first doctor told me that a knee support wouldn't help. However I'm still tempted to try one, it won't hurt anyway. And the foot soles might be a good idea. thingstodo, thanks for the link. Although the page you linked too is about jumper's knee (patellar tendonitis). My problem is runner's knee, aka pattelofemoral pain syndrome (wonderful words, I know); and there is a page about it on this site: http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/guides/knee/kneeart.htm . I tried some of this stuff before but I didn't help.. I might give it another shot, more seriously this time.