Attn Joggers: Why my knees hurt??

[SeeDisney]

HI Dis Friends,


About month ago, after a long break from my pregnancy, I started up jogging. I've jogged about mile 10 times. The last time I jogged, my knees hurted so much that I had to stop and just continue with a fast walk.

Last night, I jogged and again my knees hurt but I managed to jog my mile.

Is this a sign of old age?? I'm pushing 40. I hope not, cuz I just love to jog so much.

Has this happened to you and you can still jog and manage OK?

 

[Ranatra]

I would definately have this checked out at the doctors.
I just turned 50, and I run about 2-3 miles every other day. My knees have been fine so far, but I limit myself to running at the gym on the track. I stay off roads because I am sensitive to shin splints. Had them more times than I can count.

 

[DawnCt1]

First of all, don't skimp on your shoes. Women have broader hips so our legs don't go straight down. Often women need very good arch supports and sometimes orthotics so you are not turning in on your feet putting pressure on your knees. I have a good pair of Asic gels that I like. In fact the arch is so good that it pushes my right foot out so much that I got a little tendonitis on the outer aspect of my foot but my knees are absolutely fine. I typically go 3 miles. I would suggest that you go on line and see what type of gait you have, what type of foot you have and pick a shoe based on that. Also, avoid running up hills or down steep hills. That puts a lot of pressure on your knees. I walk fast up the steep slopes and I change my circuit so I don't run down a steep slope. Out of the three miles I run 2 3/4 of it. Start out slower as well. Don't feel you need to run the entire mile. A better approach might be to map out a three mile route, walk up the hills, walk a telephone pole length, run two and alternate until you work out the kinks in your knees, avoid shin splints and builtd up your overall strength.

 

[Christine]

I am not a runner but I do "walking" here and there. About 5 years ago (when I was about 37) my knees starting hurting me just walking around in heels. I decided I was out of shape and needing to get back into walking/running. My knees just started killing me. Like the good hypochondriac I am, I went to an orthopedist to have my knees checked out. It was determined that there were no actual knee problems, but that I have "lax" tendons. It was never a problem for me all my life, but as I have "aged" it has become a problem. So now I have to work on keeping the tendons that support my knee caps strong. Otherwise, the kneecap and knee is not stable and I will get pain.

It could be that this has happened to you. A combination of age and post-pregnancy and being a little bit out of shape.

 

[salmoneous]

There are literally dozens of different reasons why your knees hurt. People will point to your shoes, stride, etc.

But in most cases, the simple fact is that your joints and tendons aren't strong enough to support your running. It takes time. 6-12 weeks is about right in most cases. When you're young, your joints and tendons can be strong enough from day 1. As you get older, you are going to need to build them up. But once they are built up, you should be fine.

This period of building up can be extremely frustrating. But you have to go through it. It means walking when you have the endurance/muscle strength to run. It means stopping after a short run, even though you feel like you can go longer. But it gets better. Really!

Hopefully, this is your only problem and you'll be fine as you gradually build up strength. But no matter what the problem is, DON'T RUN THROUGH IT. You can run through some "mild discomfort", but pain is a sign to STOP. Weak, sore knees get better. Damaged knees can mess you up for a lifetime.

 

[Deb in IA]

I don't think it is solely age. I'm soon to be 47 (waaahhh!), and I regularly run 3 miles or more.

I'm sure you've heard that before you start an exercise regimen, you should check with your doctor. I would advise you to do that.

As for the knee pain, there are many possibilities, but one of the most common causes in runners/joggers is chrondromalcia, or wearing/thinning of the cartilege on the ends of the bones in the knees. Your doctor can diagnose this, and recommend specific therapy, if this is the case.

Good luck!!

 

[SeeDisney]

Thanks everyone. I really hope this is a mild case and I'll get my leg/knee tendons area strengthened. I truly just love to jog.