Knee issues

[Mutt]

Hi all,

I've been a runner on and off since my late teens (I'm 29 this month) in which time I've completed three marathons (most recently September 2011, 4h 38m) and various other events. After the 2011 marathon, I sprained my left ankle in December 2011 and again (same ankle) in February 2012 so basically all of last year I did very little running as for the first half of 2012 my ankle wasn't up to it and the second half, being honest, I couldn't be arsed.

I want to get back into it. I fired up the treadmill on Christmas Eve, 5k, knackered, no problems. Back to work on Wednesday, 5k on the treadmill, circuits on Thursday and a buggered knee Friday through today. Overnight on Thursday my right knee swelled slightly (on the outside, about halfway up) and it was painful to bend it and put weight on it. I took some ibuprofen, swelling went down and was able to walk on it. It was OK-ish yesterday, but today it's worse with some crepitis if I move the knee cap and it feels stiff "inside". I can put weight on it, but it's not pleasant. I don't believe it's runners knee or any of the usual things as I experience no pain whilst running. It almost always swells up either that night or the night after: I think it could be related to a muscle imbalance (desk job) and the exercise triggers it through muscle soreness or stiffness.

I'd like to know if anyone has any thoughts on what could be causing it? It has happened several times before. It clears up within a day or so. I had it before I started training for the 2011 marathon: I just stretched very thoroughly before I was up to speed and had no problems throughout training.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

[smiffy180]

Have you tried a knee brace to see if that helps the problem?
Dont know the cause though sorry

[Mutt]

No - I've been told that generally they're a bad idea as you become dependent on them.

[smiffy180]

Mutt said:

No - I've been told that generally they're a bad idea as you become dependent on them.

It does help though. My OH uses one in the gym to go heavy on leg press. So far she's managed 8 plates!

[Sump]

kg?

[smiffy180]

Sump said:

kg?

If you're on about my last post 320kg + sled.
She broke her knee again though at work so hasn't been in gym recently

[Sump]

smiffy180 said:

Sump said:

kg?

If you're on about my last post 320kg + sled.
She broke her knee again though at work so hasn't been in gym recently

Did I quote you?

[Wacky Racer]

Firstly google Arthroscopy..

Then, ask your Doc to book you in for an MRI scan.....(all on the NHS)

[smiffy180]

Sump said:

Did I quote you?

You did now

[Sump]

smiffy180 said:

You did now

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oINKN2MY5qE

9 seconds

[smiffy180]

Sump said:

smiffy180 said:

You did now

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oINKN2MY5qE

9 seconds

You want me to be fking retarded?

[Mutt]

Wacky Racer said:

Firstly google Arthroscopy..

Then, ask your Doc to book you in for an MRI scan.....(all on the NHS)

Thanks. I'll book in.

I have been to the docs with it before. They did an ultrasound and could see nothing wrong and prescribed physio for knee alignment. Tbf the physio did help, but I'm interested in why it flares up. I was woken with it again last night, so the period of time that the 'attacks' are lasting is longer.

[Mutt]

To come back on this thread... I had physio. Basically my suspicions were correct: my hamstrings were tight and somewhat shortened by sitting on my arse all day. Cue several further visits to the physio where my hamstrings and quads were stretched. I was also given a new stretching regime to do and, touch wood, the knee issues are largely resolved providing I don't push myself to hard.

Thanks all for responses.

Edit: my suspicions were correct!

Edited by Mutt on Monday 10th June 23:26

[Wacky Racer]

Good news then.....

[Mutt]

Wacky Racer said:

Good news then.....

Yep! I'm pleased. Now to tackle a bit of paunch...