Runners - what is this?

[IIOY]

I ran ages ago and stopped when I had back issues.  A few weeks back I decided to give it a go again and actually didn't do too bad.  However, after multiple runs, I suddenly developed pain in the lower/inner part of my knees.  If you were looking my knees straight on, the pain would be between 4 and 6 o'clock on my left knee and between 6 and 8 o'clock on my right knee (hopefully this makes sense).

I stopped running altogether and over the past week or so, the pain has dissipated, although it's not gone completely.

In the interim, I bought a new pair of running shoes, thinking it could be because I was using old ones.  I tried them yesterday and immediately developed the same pain.  I stopped after less than a minute because it was too intense and didn't feel like something that could be worked through.  I then got on the elliptical and did just fine, with zero pain.  I also worked out today on the elliptical with zero pain.

I will see my doctor if this doesn't resolve in a few weeks, but any thoughts on what this pain might be?

[shorewife]

Did you get fit for the right running shoe for you at a local running store?

[secretlyevil]

IT bands, which could be resulting from tight/weak hips. Also, agree with pp, did you get fitted for shoes?

[taratru]

It seems like most knee pain is directly related to weak hips. Are you doing any strength work? (and ditto getting fitted for shoes...if you're in the wrong kind of shoes, it can actually injure you)

[2doxies]

I found this article helpful regarding the relationship between the IT band/hips/knees: breakingmuscle.com/mobility-recovery/your-it-band-is-not-the-enemy-but-maybe-your-foam-roller-is

[foundmylazybum]

Jun 30, 2015 14:29:50 GMT -5 secretlyevil said:

IT bands, which could be resulting from tight/weak hips. Also, agree with pp, did you get fitted for shoes?

It sounds like this. This doesn't really result from the type of running shoes you have. It happens from jumping up in mileage quickly (like say...running consecutive days after taking years off ) and then getting really tight up in the hips.


It can go away from rest alone, but it will also come back as soon as you start to build up in mileage again. You need to do stretching and strengthening exercises to help it get better.


running.competitor.com/2015/03/injury-prevention/10-exercises-to-treat-it-band-syndrome_125083/2 

[IIOY]

Thanks, everyone, I really appreciate the input! I will read the links. I was fitted for running shoes a few years back and know what to look for, so I don't think it's a shoe issue. There certainly could be something to weak hips. During my last round of PT for my terribly cranky lower back, the therapist gave me a band exercise for my hips (put band around ankles, lie on side, lift leg X times, roll to other side, repeat), but I basically forgot I was supposed to be doing it and it fell off my back exercise radar. I will look into this again.

[secretlyevil]

Jul 1, 2015 11:08:26 GMT -5 IIOY said:

Thanks, everyone, I really appreciate the input! I will read the links. I was fitted for running shoes a few years back and know what to look for, so I don't think it's a shoe issue. There certainly could be something to weak hips. During my last round of PT for my terribly cranky lower back, the therapist gave me a band exercise for my hips (put band around ankles, lie on side, lift leg X times, roll to other side, repeat), but I basically forgot I was supposed to be doing it and it fell off my back exercise radar. I will look into this again.

Things change, not trying to be bossy but it's good to get re-fitted every couple of years. Also, in my experience, some places are better at fitting than others.

[IIOY]

Jul 1, 2015 11:12:24 GMT -5 secretlyevil said:

Jul 1, 2015 11:08:26 GMT -5 IIOY said:

Thanks, everyone, I really appreciate the input! I will read the links. I was fitted for running shoes a few years back and know what to look for, so I don't think it's a shoe issue. There certainly could be something to weak hips. During my last round of PT for my terribly cranky lower back, the therapist gave me a band exercise for my hips (put band around ankles, lie on side, lift leg X times, roll to other side, repeat), but I basically forgot I was supposed to be doing it and it fell off my back exercise radar. I will look into this again.

Things change, not trying to be bossy but it's good to get re-fitted every couple of years. Also, in my experience, some places are better at fitting than others.

Fair enough.  Let's see how things go, and if I can't make this work otherwise, I'll get refitted.  FWIW, the place I went to was a small, running specialty shop that is highly regarded by the runners I know.  The guy who worked with me was the first ever to tell me I had pronation issues, and it kind of blows my mind that I went so many years without knowing about this.  Big sporting goods store fail.

[jeaniebueller]

Try foam rolling your IT band. It worked wonders for me.

[foundmylazybum]

Jul 1, 2015 11:08:26 GMT -5 IIOY said:

Thanks, everyone, I really appreciate the input! I will read the links. I was fitted for running shoes a few years back and know what to look for, so I don't think it's a shoe issue. There certainly could be something to weak hips. During my last round of PT for my terribly cranky lower back, the therapist gave me a band exercise for my hips (put band around ankles, lie on side, lift leg X times, roll to other side, repeat), but I basically forgot I was supposed to be doing it and it fell off my back exercise radar. I will look into this again.

This kind of sounds like one of the it band exercises from the link I posted for you