Persistent knee pain

Have you tried the light-weight leg-extension on the machine, where
you do many reps, very, very light weight, and keep the arc just a few
degrees?

They describe this exercise on many of the running sites; it is good
for the small muscles around the knee joint.

I also find the stairmaster a very good x-trainer for knees, if done
correctly; consequent glute strengtheing also helps my running form.

wannaBe said:

I know I'm not the first person to bring up their aching joints here,
but I've had knee pain for almost three months now and I'm worried
because I haven't seen any improvement. I'm looking for advice from
any others out there with similar experience.

I'm a young female runner, which I'm sure will shock no one. Before my
knees started hurting, I had been running 30-35 miles a week for the
past few years. The pain came on very suddenly--I hadn't had any
previous problems, and then one day suddenly both knees were in a lot
of pain. There wasn't really any noticeable swelling or redness.
They seemed to hurt whether I was sitting, standing, or doing anything
active. The pain was on both sides of my knees, above and below. I
also have pain on the inside of my shins.

Obviously, I stopped running, and after a couple of weeks without
improvement I went to a doctor who referred me to a physical
therapist. The physical therapist decided that my hips were my weak
point, and I've been doing as he suggested to strengthen my hips and
quads. I bought the off-the-shelf inserts he recommended, but more
arch support actually seems to make things worse. My hips are
definitely stronger than they were, but the pain is about the same,
though perhaps more localized on the inside of my knee. Eventually I
went back to the doctor, who didn't have anything new to tell me.

Tried taking glucosamine, and I do yoga. Flexibility isn't an issue.
Went swimming a few times to avoid going crazy from sitting still,
which didn't hurt any more than sitting or standing.

Icing helps briefly, but I can't take ibuprofen or the usual anti-
inflammatories due to Ulcerative colitis.

It's been about 3 months since I've run. As much as I miss it, I
would settle for being able to walk or sit without pain. I'm getting
a little depressed, and I'm willing to entertain new theories or
suggestions.

You need a chiropractor. You likely have a spinal misalignment that's
causing your knee problems. I have the same symptoms when my lower
back is "out". No pain in the lower back, because the nerve that's
effected controls my knee area.
The fact that no Dr or PT (these PT creeps are leaches of society) has
even slightly touched your problem, shows they really haven't a clue
what's really going on. Try a GOOD, qualified chiro, preferably a very
old one, whose been in practice for many years. If you don't get
immediate relief, I mean within 3 visits, go to another one until you
do get relief.

wannaBe said:

I know I'm not the first person to bring up their aching joints here,
but I've had knee pain for almost three months now and I'm worried
because I haven't seen any improvement. I'm looking for advice from
any others out there with similar experience.

I'm a young female runner, which I'm sure will shock no one. Before my
knees started hurting, I had been running 30-35 miles a week for the
past few years. The pain came on very suddenly--I hadn't had any
previous problems, and then one day suddenly both knees were in a lot
of pain. There wasn't really any noticeable swelling or redness.
They seemed to hurt whether I was sitting, standing, or doing anything
active. The pain was on both sides of my knees, above and below. I
also have pain on the inside of my shins.

Obviously, I stopped running, and after a couple of weeks without
improvement I went to a doctor who referred me to a physical
therapist. The physical therapist decided that my hips were my weak
point, and I've been doing as he suggested to strengthen my hips and
quads. I bought the off-the-shelf inserts he recommended, but more
arch support actually seems to make things worse. My hips are
definitely stronger than they were, but the pain is about the same,
though perhaps more localized on the inside of my knee. Eventually I
went back to the doctor, who didn't have anything new to tell me.

Tried taking glucosamine, and I do yoga. Flexibility isn't an issue.
Went swimming a few times to avoid going crazy from sitting still,
which didn't hurt any more than sitting or standing.

Icing helps briefly, but I can't take ibuprofen or the usual anti-
inflammatories due to Ulcerative colitis.

If you suffer with UC then maybe you should go back and see whoever is
treating you for that. Athritis is commonly associated with UC and physical
therapy of any sort is going to struggle to treat an inflammatory problem.

Quoted message said:

It's been about 3 months since I've run. As much as I miss it, I
would settle for being able to walk or sit without pain. I'm getting
a little depressed, and I'm willing to entertain new theories or
suggestions.

No new theories alas unless you're prepared to try experimental stuff like
self infection with parasitic worms etc. (Supposed to give your immune
system something to get its teeth into rather than your own tissues).

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3287733.stm

Good luck!

Tim

On Jul 8, 5:42 pm, wannaBe <[email hidden]> wrote:

I'm not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV. Had lots of knee troubles,
though!

Contrary to a previous poster who called PTs leeches of society, I am
still running BECAUSE of a good sports therapist. The areas I've
worked on strengthening are the quads and the glutes, and much of my
stretching routine is focused on the various muscles connected to my
hips. I also have custom orthotics which have made a huge difference,
particularly in my battle with Iliotibial Band Syndrome. The best
thing for joints is to strengthen their support network - i.e., the
muscles around them.

Given your medical condition, I think the poster who suggested your
knee problems might be related to it in terms of athritis gave you
wise advice. There are also chiropractors who understand runners'
needs, and can really help.

Good luck with everything!

Bruce

"The physical therapist decided that my hips were my weak point..."

That's because he hasn't spent enough time with you, to get to know your
personality.

Miss Anne Thrope said:

"The physical therapist decided that my hips were my weak point..."

That's because he hasn't spent enough time with you, to get to know your
personality.

All of these posts in ONE DAY!? Hey, take the rest of the month off.
Do yourself -- and US -- a favor. You -- and WE -- deserve it.
--
_________________
Alric Knebel

http://www.ironeyefortress.com/C-SPAN_loon.html
http://www.ironeyefortress.com