Knee issues - tell me your stories/experience

[boston340]

I am starting to experience some knee pain when I run and am looking for help to diagnose it or help with determining if I need to see a doctor or not. I remember reading several blog posts about runners who were able to run for years without any knee pain and then, wham, one day they ran into major knee problems.  It seems like so many bloggers push it too hard, too fast, and for way too long.

I've never really had knee problems in the past but in the past 6 months have kind of "tweaked" my knee (both) a few different times.  Within the past 2 weeks I've noticed that when I start my runs, my knees kind of ache for the first couple of miles and then when I start running faster (after my warm up) the pain goes away.  

Is this an issue of just needing to work on knee exercises and to strengthen them?  Or do I need to see a doctor?  I haven't experienced any true PAIN in them, just a lot of soreness.  

[texassmith]

Do you foam roll? That's what helps the most with my knee pain when I do it consistently. I have also used KT Tape with success when I need extra support.

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[joenali]

Tight IT bands. Foam roll before and after running.

[boston340]

Ok, I do have a foam roller. I mostly use it for my hips and thighs. Should I just roll around on the side of my knees?

[joenali]

Roll the entire IT band.

[lovesherheels]

My husband has IT issues. Roll your IT band, as PPs mentioned. Sounds similar.

Hope you feel better!

[lauren170]

I wouldn't mess around. It could be just a tight IT band or it could be something like quads or hamstrings over compensating for the other - as one example. See if your doctor will give you a referral to a physical therapist who can properly diagnose you. They will give you the proper stretches and strengthening exercises based on what they observe. You may only need a few sessions.

[clseale]

Where is the pain? It could be many things. I would not jump to ITB issues. ITB pain is not something I would describe as achey knees.

[MrsE]

If it is not better after 3 days of RICE, go see your Dr. Our board, while amazingly knowledgable, cannot diagnose you.

ETA: Signed, the girl who had 2 knee surgeries in 2 years and heard responses about IT bands and foam rolling after my very first injury post.

[archaeominx]

It could be so many things, arthritis, tendonitis, the ITB band, you could have some damage going on in there. I agree with PP who mentioned three days of RICE, if it's still there, make an appointment. After having a few knee injuries, I don't mess around with it anymore. Good luck!

[Deleted]

I'd go get it checked out, I'd hate it to be something serious.

[ebeth]

glucosamine supplementation and exercises to stregthen my quads, pelvic floor, core, and accessory muscles helped with my knee issues.

[clseale]

Apr 22, 2014 8:29:15 GMT -5 ebeth said:

glucosamine supplementation and exercises to stregthen my quads, pelvic floor, core, and accessory muscles helped with my knee issues.

This is more along the lines of what I was thinking. When my knees ached, I had to strengthen all of the muscles around the knee. I basically did all of the exercises that they suggest for runner's knee. They are much better than they used to be.

With that said, boston340, like others have mentioned, it's hard for us to diagnose the pain. 1) Because most of us aren't qualified to do so, and 2) Because we're not experiencing the pain.