Running knee pain

Alright, all of you amateur medical experts and regular runners, I need some advice. Yes, I know I need to see a doctor to know for sure, but I'm just looking for anyone with some insight or experience with similar knee pain...and if a doctor is warranted or if I'll just be told to ice and stretch.

I have knee pain whenever I run, usually takes about 20 min for it to start. It's on the outer side of my knee and is a stinging, sharp pain that sometimes radiates and sometimes is isolated (tends to radiate if I ignore it). I have good running shoes that I replace when necessary. At my maximum, I was running about 4-5 miles a session about 4 times a week. I've heard people mention ilio tibial band syndrome, plantar fasciatis, as well as tendonitis. I've pushed through it and when I do it will come and go just enough for me to finish my course. I guess my question is, has anyone experienced something similar and was there anything that worked in lieu of/in spite of seeing a doctor. Point being, I don't want to waste a trip to the doctor only for him to say ice and stretch. I admit I'm not a regular stretcher (or do enough when I do), but I ice regularly. Any tips would be greatly appreciated!!

Fri. Feb 13, 11:55am

Hey. I face the same problem too. Not only running. Even jumping..... I need help too!!!

Friday, February 13, 2009, 12:33 PM

My knee pain was a little different. It was throbbing, not stinging. It got better after I cut down my interval training to twice a week. The rest of the week, I walked with the treadmill on an incline.

Friday, February 13, 2009, 12:53 PM

I had ITBS and stretching was THE best thing for it. Runners World (online) will give you some stretches to help out with a tight illiotibial band. And, while you have good running shoes...are you certain you have the right shoes? I had all kinds of problems with my knees and hips until I figured out I was a supinator...got new shoes for that issue, did the stretches = no more knee problems.

Good luck! Knee pain sucks!

Friday, February 13, 2009, 2:45 PM

OMGosh....I have the EXACT same issues w/my lft knee(scary how exactly it matched up).
After 20mins the outside of my lft knee will throb & shoot pains thru my leg. If I stop and walk, it's fine.....but then getting up after sitting(that same day), it'll be terribly sore/painful.
I recently got "good running shoes", and that's when I first started noticing it. When I jog with my old junky shoes-it doesn't hurt....so I'm thinking that it may be just how my foot is positioned in the new "good ones".
I too don't ever stretch before doing any kind of workout(unless occasionally at a class somewhere)- and that I'm sure is also part of it!?
***Very frustrating though!!! Jogging is difficult enough in my opinion(very much a mind game)- so having knee pain stop you on a day that you actually feel good(like you could keep going forever).......VERY frustrating!!! :\

Friday, February 13, 2009, 3:27 PM

I recently read an article about this as one of my running buddies was experiencing the same thing. It could be "runner's knee" and happens because your quads aren't as strong as your hamstrings. This is very common in runners. So she was told by her Dr to build up that quad muscle - it is like an unbalance in your leg of sort. Good luck, I would say if you don't see a difference with the suggestions here see your Dr.

Friday, February 13, 2009, 3:49 PM

check your form and make sure that knees, ankles, hips and shoulders are all aligned when you're running. Also that your toes aren't pointing out.

Friday, February 13, 2009, 4:17 PM

Running Knee Pain

Just like 2:45 said, stinging pain on the outside of knee sounds like when I had ITB syndrome. Check out the anatomy by searching iliotibial band syndrome on the web and you may be able to feel certain whether this is the source of your pain or not.
If it is, in addition to stretching and properly fitted shoes as mentioned, I did some self-massage of the tight band running up the outside of that leg. I like to use homeopathic arnica gel to rub with, aids circulation and healing. ITB can be a little tough to isolate in stretches, I thought, and the nightly massage with arnica was very specific and helpful.
Good luck!!

Friday, February 13, 2009, 7:44 PM

Chiropractor

Shoe inserts...super feet are the best as far as I know

Monday, February 16, 2009, 10:02 PM

yoga is excellent for this. In addition to self massage of the it bands you want to make sure you get a very deep stretch of your legs and hips. A yoga exercise I learned from Jill Miller is to lie on your back and pull one knee to the chest while leaving your other foot on the ground.

You then want to take your foot and knee with both hands and pull them to your chest. this gives you a deep hamstring stretch.

Another exercise I use is to simply sit down with your legs together and facing out. Put your hands next to your hips and butt and gently push up and lean forward. This gives you a very good hamstring stretch.

Add this to a simple sun salutation series combined with IT band massage is my pre-run routine.

Tuesday, January 12, 2010, 8:51 AM

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