Runner's Knee

The Kalmyk

The Kalmyk

Well-Known Member
I have been down for two weeks now with a case of runners knee. It started on a bike commute going home. As of yesterday morning I was thinking the progress was moving along but after some yard work I can feel it slightly. It is really tricky because the pain isn't always there.

Has anyone on the board ever have to overcome runners knee before? How long was your turn around? What were the routine followed to speed up recovery?
 
So says my doctor. He didn't suggest an mri but if it persists i will request one. It's one of those things that I don't notice till I put my legs to work. That being the case I may not be as pro active as I probably should.
 
I frequently get (self diagnosed) ITBS, but only when running. I've never had a problem on the bike. Once a year or so I try to get into running as cross training, and I ramp up the miles too quickly because I'm impatient, and then I get IT band pain and give up. This year I was patient and took it really slow at first, alternating running and walking until I could run 2.5 miles with only minor discomfort after a mile or two. Then I bought a theraband and started doing this exercise routine:

http://strengthrunning.com/2011/02/the-itb-rehab-routine-video-demonstration/

And I bought some moon shoes with crazy cushioning:

http://www.hokaoneone.com/mens-road/clifton/30609031.html

I have only done a few runs since doing both of the above, but I have had zero pain. I think it has more to do with the shoes, as I had only done the exercise routine twice before the new shoes came. I'm optimistic that I'll be able to start doing longer runs without any pain, but we'll see.
 
I believe runners knee is called Petelloformal Pain Syndrome. Does working the itb help with that?

I too have a pair of those moon shoes and they are very comfortable.
 
The Kalmyk said:
I believe runners knee is called Petelloformal Pain Syndrome. Does working the itb help with that?

I too have a pair of those moon shoes and they are very comfortable.
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different stuff from ITB from what i understand, but they can be related.

physical therapist! go to one.
 
Yeah, I didn't know exactly what you meant by runner's knee, so I googled it. Wikipedia says that runner's knee is any one of:

Patellofemoral pain syndrome
Chondromalacia patellae
Iliotibial band syndrome
Plica syndrome

Sounds like you have 1 and I get 3. They may or may not be related. I really only know about ITBS as I've googled it extensively over the years. I get pain on the side of my knee, you get yours on the front I assume?
 
Jim- ironic you mention ramping up miles too quickly because I too believe this is the cause of my knee. This is the first time I ever had a physical set back while cycling. Unfortunately for me it occurs when, for the first time ever, I am riding with a purpose.
 
Could also just be jumpers knee aka patellar tendinitis.

About two months ago at the Westwood race, there was a run-up section where the amphitheater stairs was like climbing up a bunch of box jumps. Anyway the very next day my knee swelled up under the left kneecap (why I stopped playing basketball and took up cycling - knees just can't take the pounding) and lasted on and off for the next 3 weeks. I managed with ice and an anti-inflammatory after each ride.

Unfortunately, without an MRI we're just guessing and waiting to see if it heals up on its own.
 
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Runner and biker here with previous knee, ankle, Achilles issues. Second Dave's reco - go to a sports medicine specialist for an evaluation and you will very likely get physical therapy script. PT is the fastest way to get rid off these issues
 
Not sure what I have in doctor speak, but I've been having issues for a while as well. I can't run for anything more than a quick sprint because of the impact. I must have destroyed my knees in my 3-4 years of high jump and hurdles back in school. I ride a 30T 1x10 and a recent full suspension which helps the impact on the standing downhills.
 
I injured my knees two ways in high school both by hyper extension.. Once by slipping a pedal on my BMX bike and somehow smashing my knee on the stem and hyper extending it as well. Second time was @ Wrestling practice and the guy I was wrestling with (from standing position) "ankle picked" me and drove his shoulder into my knee - hyperextending it again. I never went to the doctor, just wore a brace until the pain went away and kept riding and wrestling

Year later, found a similar pain when doing heavy squats and that was mostly due to poor form.

The pain came back when I had kids and I was 40 pounds heavier and out of shape... It was caused by crawling around on the floor alot with the kids.

Again, never did anything about it just tolerated the pain and it eventually went away.

Now - in the past couple years, I've made significant efforts to lose weight and get in shape and running played a key role in that. My knees started hurting in the early stages but I then researched and invested in a good correct pair of sneakers + working legs in the gym with good form seemed to rehab it. Now I can run forever with no pain. However, I do know when I need a new pair of sneakers because pain starts to sneak in with my feet, ankles, knees and hips. I buy a new pair and I'm back in shape again with no pain.

All that said, I don;t think I added much value here - have you tried researching and investing in a correct solid quality running shoe and have you ever tried to research and do knee rehab exercises and stretching before / after running?
 
How it effects my squats is my biggest thing right now. I feel like I'll never go up in weight. Used to be well into the lower 300's in school and now I can barely throw up 135 without my knees buckling. I completely stopped doing them a few months back and focused on strengthening everything other than and around the knee with focused machines.
 
Mountain Bike Mike said:
I never went to the doctor, just wore a brace until the pain went away and kept riding and wrestling

...Again, never did anything about it just tolerated the pain and it eventually went away.
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In my opinion it's not a good idea to self-diagnose and self-treat sports injuries. What's the adage about lawyers - "a man who is his own lawyer has a fool for a client" - it applies here, too.
 
rick81721 said:
In my opinion it's not a good idea to self-diagnose and self-treat sports injuries. What's the adage about lawyers - "a man who is his own lawyer has a fool for a client" - it applies here, too.
Click to expand...

This made me really do some introspection about how I feel about doctors...

I agree - If you have someone you can trust that has your best interest in mind, seek professional help. That is the safest and smartest way to go!

With me - I'm an idiot when it comes to this stuff and based on my story you can tell I don't follow the sound advice of seeking a professional. But there comes a point when I will say, Maybe I should get this checked out.

The questions I asked were to see if he was considering other variables that could help or improve the running experience. Sometimes, stretching and cross training exercises and proper shoe fitment can help improve and eliminate something that is bugging him. I can only share information from my own experience and don't take that as a prescribed action to fix whatever it is he has going on... I'm sharing the wisdom I've learned for myself and maybe it can be helpful for someone else.

To add more to the story, I am battling a lingering shoulder thing right now and instead of seeking professional help, I've decided to interrogate what and how I am exercising to see if I'm the cause while at the same time researching and learning the proper forms and movements to rehab shoulders and prevent from further damage. So far so good.
 
At first I leveraged my resources and self diagnosed myself using the interweb. Being that it sets my riding back I sought a professional opinion. Physical Therapy will be in the cards soon. I rescheduled with my dr. on his earliest available date.
 
Rick will be happy to know I am sitting in the orthos office right now for my neck. Two weeks out, it is getting better but just to be thorough and see if there are particular pt to be done. That and it hurts to get out of bed on my right side.
 
Any update? Did you do physical therapy? Are you all better?

I've been trying to run 1-2 times a week. I try to force myself to take it easy and not ramp up too quickly like last time.
 
Hey Jim,

So I did end up going to the doctor. He diagnosed it as runners knee. After going thru his routine, it got chalked up as overuse and tight muscles. I laid off the bike for a month or so and have since taken on a good stretching routine (includes rolling out t-ban). I am back commuting two-three times a week.

In my original post I don't know if I said this but the bike I am using I haven't touched since 2008. It has never been fit to me ever. Since this time I have tweeked it a bit and haven't had any major issues.
 
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