Knee pain, any thoughts appreciated
I am an avid runner and am in good physical shape. I’ve played competitive sports all my life.
A week ago during a run, I began feeling a pain in the outside of my right knee. To my recollection, I did not twist it nor did I hit an awkward stride. I began shortening my stride but the pain increased over the following steps and it forced me to walk the rest of the way back home as the pain was unbearable.
I wasn’t running further than usual, although i stretched a little less than usual, nor was I running harder than usual.
I haven’t run on it since and I can now ( a week later) walk without a limp. The pain was solely on the outside part of my knee and was sharpest as my foot hit the ground, my thought was that it may be a cartilage problem since that’s what it felt like.
I am only 20, and most of my joints (ankles, knees, shoulder, wrists) usually crack with normal movements e.g. while standing, bending my knee so that my heel goes towards my hip results in a crack from my knee joint every time.
I have started to take glucosomine sulfate since i heard it helps strengthen joints. I already have an appointment with my family doctor whom I hope will refer me to a sports doctor but I am hoping to get some input from someone else?
Anyone with any similar experience or thoughts???
Thanks
Andrew
2 comments
chrispa
I had a small tear in my right lateral knee ligament which caused the same pain. After lots of physio, ultrasound, and rest, 7 months later I can play football (on astro-turf) but not run more than about 5 miles (precautionary). Suggest seeking professional opinion as the knee is a delicate and complicated area of the body. Strengthening in the wrong muscle areas can be more harm than good. Some things to bear in mind:
1) Continue to train makes it worse – I got pains on my patella, knee cap tracking, and medial because I decided to run a half marathon on a damaged lateral ligament.
2) Rest, and plenty of it. Combined with STRENGTHENING exercises on the CORRECT parts of the knee will help to recover and stop repeats.
I’ve also been taking glucosamine, but the physio said it was still unproven, as it works on some people, and not on others.
Hope this helps,
Chris
gus4059
I have a similar problem, for the last week and a half I have woken up and when I go to straighten out my left leg I have large amounts of pain doing so, once the leg is straight I am fine for the rest of the day, I have tried poking different parts of the knee cap but no pain is brought up. Any ideas what that could be?