Knee Pain -- WWYD??

[Princess Nancy]

I started training in January for my First Half Marathon at Disney in 2007! Things have been going well, if not slow.

I have always had a "click" sound in my right knee or ankle. Never bothered me a bit.

Last week my knee really became sore. I rested most of the week. Felt okay and ran on the treadmill 4 miles on Saturday. Not too much pain. Sunday the girls and I went shopping, still not so bad. This AM on the treadmill I thought I would cry. I walked then jogged about 10 minutes then headed to the Bike. GRRRR!

So here is my plan, I saw my family Doc this afternoon(because I must have a referral for the orthopaedic doc) He says it is probably cartilage tear, but really what can he tell just feeling it?

My options are to rest it a couple weeks and see what happens or I can be aggressive and see the Orthopaedic Doc on Monday next week.

I went for option 2. I am going this week for an MRI. I would hate to go see the Doc on Monday for him to say get an MRI and then come back!

I am psyched for this race and cannot imagine not training! Am I being too cautious? Any suggestion for what to do this week?

I am thinking about icing my knee and exercise on the elliptical machine and the bike.

Sorry so long, but I am really in panic mode! My knee is so sore right now!

Thanks!
Nancy

 

[wtpclc]

I'm overly cautious. I guess I'd go to the ortho just in case. I'd hate to be 2 weeks behind and lose even more traning time. JMO.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I would get it checked. LOTS of people can continue there efforts despite the tear, but there is the possibilty of causing further damage.

I cannot remember precisely my training timeline for WDW--but when we did discover it, doc said he could have it fixed (required a shave as it couldn't be repaired since it was where there are no blood vessels) and have me running. And by jove, he was right. I believe my surgery was Oct 26th maybe??? This gave me about 12 weeks or so training schedule left. I had been training for the full and stepped down to the half. It was hard work, but I was back up.

I had been told that I could proceed with training and it would be a matter of pain management.

My tear was complex.

Unfortunatley there is nothing to "undo" what was done if indeed it was a tear. The good news is though that depending on your pain mgmt and if you are willing to sacrifice time for just finishing, then it is doable to participate despite injury. This was what I was told for my particular circumstance.

If it is a tear--they don't really "heal" unless it is in the area with blood vessels (you have no real way of knowing this with 100% certainty) and for that to happen, you must immobilize your leg and not bend it.

***These are "pre-diagnosed" on MRI--but results are usually not conclusive. I can't remember how my report read--but it reads like it is a "possibility"...takes doc going in to confirm exactly what is going on. Some people have gone in with tears and not had any--and some people despite repeated pain...have MRI's that come out negative and doc will take them in anyway and they do indeed have a tear. However--usually if the MRI comes out positive, you most likely have what it is suspecting.

 

[ricksje]

I've had knee pain for quite some time and finally went to the hospital in June. I saw a doctor in the physical therapy clinic (whose name was Richard Simmons) and he said i had tendinitis and put me on ultrasound therapy and good ole' vitamin M. They also had me switch to low impact cardio on the eliptical machine and bike and if my knee started to hurt I was to alternate head and cold - 15 minutes of heat followed by 10 minutes of cold.

I put off going to the doc for a long time because i didn't want them to tell me to stop running, but in the end I was very glad I went because it feels much better now.

 

[RunningthruDisney]

I agree with everyone go to the dr. better now than in December. I could be something as easy as PT

I do have a question though. How old are you sneakers. When ever my knees start to hurt, my dad (who coached cross country for 20 years and ran marathon and triathalons) asks me that question and then get the catalogs out for a new shoe order.

Running shoes are the one things we get 3-5 times a years with no questions asked. The more miles you run the more you get new shoes.

Megan

 

[Princess Nancy]

Thanks everyone. It all looks good on x-rays and MRI's. So that was GREAT news for me. After a week of rest my knee felt tons better. DH made me rest another week and I have been back on the elliptical machine and the treadmill this week.

Dr. says to take an anti inflammatory for long runs. I should take (I will not spell this correctly) Chondrotin glucosomine for joints. I went to Walmart to buy some, but they all contain shellfish products. I have to call him back on Monday and see if there is an alternative ( I am allergic).

I just got new shoes. I am using them now and hope that too will help. I also forgot my socks today and bought a great (read $$$ too) pair of New Balance socks. I may invest in a few more pairs.

So for now I am good. My knee tires more easily, but this week should tell. I am going to get back ona regular running schedule.

Thanks again for all the great advice.

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Good news for you. I hope that the new shoes will do the trick too. Take it easy and don't push too much too fast. You've got time. Go steady.

 

[RunningthruDisney]

Glad to hear you are ok. Good luck with the new shoes.

I have been taking Glucosamine and Chondroitin for a couple of years, More than that- Been taking it since when it was just glucosimine. took my self off and went back on. I am not sure if they have anything else without the shellfish.

Take it easy. Also check with the Dr. if some weight training might help. I have to lift to keep the muscles around the knee stronger. I only lift 2-3 aweek All machine. Still chicken to do free weights

Megan

 

[Princess Nancy]

Thanks Megan. I am lifting weights. I do ht emachines or take Rep Rebok. I am happy to say my knee is doing well. Today we are off to run and doing a 10K in three weeks. It will be my longest race yet!

Thank goodness I have DH doing this with me. He has been so supportive and encouraging and made me go slow with my knee!

Thaks for all the advice.