???'s about Knee Brace

[agotta]

It has been a couple years since I had to wear one, but now with starting up trainging for the Half Marathon, my knee is acting up. I stopped by Dick's today and bought one. My knee is very stiff and sore. How tight should it be? Should I still be sore? How long can I keep it on? Thanks!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

You can always ask your doc. Knee problems can happen in a variety of ways and they make differnet supports for the different types of knee problems.

The mantra is--if it is painful while you are exercise--you probably shouldn't.

However, you have to distinguish between ordinary aches and pains from injury pain, if that makes sense.

A doctor should be able to help with that.

 

[agotta]

When I was 18 I was diagnosed with PFPS (Patella Famoral Pain Syndrome) So I know what the pain is. I have been told in order for the pain to go away, that I have to strenghten my quad. Meanwhile, I get the pain. The knee brace helped in the past, I just want to make sure the way I am feeling is normal.

Amanda

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Is that runners knee?

Have you tried the "knee straps"--they are not the full blown brace...but support the knee in the appropriate place. I've known some runners who've warn a strap above and below the knee for runners knee. I've warn the strap on several runs last season b/c I'd get a weird sensation that my kneecap was going to fall off. The strap provided support and prevented that sensation.

If you've been able to function with it--then knowing what feels like "normal pain" and when it will feel worse is a good piece of information.

I'm sorry I can't help with the stiffness question. Perhaps applying a heat ointment....or simply warming your knee up with a heating pad before phsyically warming up for your run/walk will do the trick.

Also--did you just start training...or have you been running and/or walking and the knee has gotten more stiff?

Icing following a workout may help as well--so if any inflammations are trying to kick in and cause swelling...this may help prevent it or at least minimize it.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

http://www.dynomed.com/encyclopedia/encyclopedia/knee_and_lower_leg/Patello-Femoral_pain.html

Treatments of Patello-Femoral Syndrome?
Depending on the cause of PFS, treatment could be as simple as changing your running shoes and stopping the activity that causes the pain. If the quadriceps muscles are the root of the problem, stretching before working out and massage therapy may loosen up the muscles. A physical therapist or your physician can suggest proper exercises to combat the symptoms. Additionally, icing the knee after working out may reduce any swelling you experience.

I was having problems with my sacrum--and though I will probably always have problems...I did go to Phsycial therapy to obtain proper exercises and maneuvers and home treatments that I could do.

If you have never been--I'd suggest finding one....b/c if you knee hurts (re: stiffness)now it might hurt worse later and could sideline you. If you get proper exercises to maximize strength in the area--it could help minimize future onsets of the pain. And hey--stronger muscles will only improve your time .

You must have a "runner/walker/athlete friendly" therapist--b/c often times those who do not respect the athlete and just want to give people easy fixes to just "get through" life...will easily say stop those activities.

 

[agotta]

Thanks for all the good info. I haven't been to a physical therapist in a couple years. It was actual an orthopedic doctor that diagnosed and recommend treatment. I had knee troubles for years and no one could figure out what was wrong. They just kept sending me back to my pt. Finally she figured it out, godsend! My knee is usally fine, but acts up with excercise. I just need to get past this point, but it's going to take a while. I think I am going to stick to wearing the brace when I walk/run, instead of on a daily basis. Thanks again everyone!