MCL Pain

[blizzard]

Just wondering if anyone has any suggestions for MCL pain. When I run (not when I walk) I have pain in my MCL. I have been icing it after running, and recently had 4 days off from running, but this morning when I ran it was sore again. It doesn't feel like it's torn, but more likely a slight sprain.

From what I've read, it seems that MCL pain is usually caused by a traumatic blow to the outside of the knee, but that hasn't occurred in my case. From looking at diagrams of the knee, it definitely is the MCL that is sore. I have no other pain in any other areas of my knee.

I think I'm going to continue to run every second day, and ice afterwards and hope that eventually the knee will strengthen enough to support the ligament. I am a beginning runner, and have been taking it easy, so it is not overtraining, but could be an improper gait issue. Any other suggestions?

TIA, Carol

 

[Cherylbug]

Hi Carol. I don't have an answer for you but hopefully someone here will be able to help you out soon. I've been fighting ITBS so I know how frustrating an injury can be. Good luck.

 

[blizzard]

Just an update, for anyone who may have read my original post, but didn't have anything to add.

My thoughts on the matter are that I am experiencing soreness (not pain exactly) due to weakness in the knee, and possibly a tracking issue. To attempt to solve these problems, I have been following this regimen:

1. Advil before walking or running
2. Glucosamine supplements (3x per day as per the instructions)
3. Ice for 10 minutes after walking or running
4. Wearing an adjustable neoprene brace on my knee when walking or running

After walking today, my knee is actually feeling pretty good. A better test will be tomorrow when I run again. If things continue to improve, I will begin eliminating the steps above. (although I will keep up with the Glucosamine at least until the bottle is gone) I will update again in a few days. If anyone has thoughts or comments to add, please do.

 

[Calcio]

Hello Carol

I'm not a knee expert, but I've worked through knee issues, including "the year of the 2 knee surgeries."

Without you being real specific about your pain and knee problems, including any examinations or MRI's you've had, it's entirely possible you have some type of MCL problem. It's also possible you have ITB issues, since discomfort in that region can be are symptom of irritated and inflamed IT Band.

If this is the case, stretching, icing, and anti-inflammatories can get this under control. Lots of our gang are working with this problem and have it under various stages of control, including the Red Dragon, who had it flare up big time at mile 14 of the Jan WDW Marathon. The treatment you are applying does seem to work well with inflamed ITB.

I don't mean to diagnose from Wellesley when you live in Calgary, but since I don't know how far you've gone with having your knee examined, there could be other possible reasons for you pain.

Of course, I thought my R knee problems were IT Band issues, as did the knee guy in exam #1. When the knee locked and the MRI was done, he discovered it was a bunch of feathers in my cartlidge, when needed to be scoped out.

Good luck with this.

Craig