back of the knee pain

[pamela]

It started on my run Tuesday and I cut yesterday's run short because of it.  My 8k race is Sunday so I need to get over it before then.

There is a sore/tenderness on the backside of my knee and comparing it to the other, it feels a bit swollen.  I did have a bit of a twinge under my knee cap starting this morning.  Any idea what could be causing this?  Is there something in my leg that maybe I should have been stretching more? Could my shoes just be giving out after ~250 miles?

[Deleted]

This is the first thing that popped into my head: www.runnersworld.com/health/patellofemoral-pain-syndrome-runners-knee

[texassmith]

Yep, sounds like patellofemoral issues. Basically, your kneecap isn't tracking properly. You'll want to strengthen your VMO (the muscle on the interior of your leg above your knee). Foam rolling your IT band won't hurt either (well, it will hurt, but it could help). I am constantly dealing with a cranky knee because of this problem. It's not debilitating and you don't necessarily have to stop running because of it, but you do have to stay on top of it.

[lightbulbsun]

I had this same pain last fall. Wearing a knee brace while running really helped.

[texassmith]

Mar 14, 2013 8:12:19 GMT -5 texassmith said:

Yep, sounds like patellofemoral issues. Basically, your kneecap isn't tracking properly. You'll want to strengthen your VMO (the muscle on the interior of your leg above your knee). Foam rolling your IT band won't hurt either (well, it will hurt, but it could help). I am constantly dealing with a cranky knee because of this problem. It's not debilitating and you don't necessarily have to stop running because of it, but you do have to stay on top of it.

Forgot to mention that I also use KT tape for races and long runs (longer than 5 miles or so), or if I plan to push myself on pace.

[pamela]

That scares me! Knees were the issues I used to have growing up. Boo! because reading that sounds like there isn't a lot I can do to really fix it. I don't know for sure that's really it because the pain is mostly in the back, but I think I should work on hamstrings and loosening those.