Knee problem. Help diagnose me?

[noisemaker]

I just got back from a week long vacation where I did not exercise at all (other than walking a ton and carrying my toddler everywhere). Somewhere along the way, I tweaked my knee (maybe on an airplane?). It started bothering me going down stairs in particular. It's the outside part of my knee that hurts.

I ran my first run in 10 days on Monday, an easy 3, and it was fine--didn't hurt at all. It still hurts a bit on stairs (down only) and every once in a while when I get up from the floor or step on it the wrong way. This morning I ran 1 mile, did some conditioning work (planks, squats, pushups, etc) and walked the mile home and I felt the knee from the first step of my run. I avoided exercises that I thought would aggravate it, but now it's bothering me even more. I just got up off the floor and it hurt more than it has been.

I'm icing it now and I'll take some ibuprofen.

What do you think--is this runner's knee? Is it weird that runner's knee would come on during the week I was taking off? Any other thoughts or advice?

Thanks ladies!

(and yes, if it doesn't get better I'll see a doc. I'm just looking for initial thoughts and similar experiences)

[dirtyred]

Sounds like it could be an IT band issue. Mine acts up most when I do a lot of walking.

[noisemaker]

May 23, 2012 14:19:32 GMT -5 dirtyred said:

Sounds like it could be an IT band issue. Mine acts up most when I do a lot of walking.

Hmmm, I hadn't thought of that. I will get the old foam roller out tonight and see if that helps, too, thanks!