Hello, I am a 26 year old female, 5'6" and 140 lbs. This is my first year with Portland Fit and my first endeavor in running. So far I have loved every minute of it! I have been pretty out of shape from the winter and felt like this would be just the thing to get me going again.
Trouble is, after running our 6 mile run on Saturday a couple of weeks ago, both of my knees became sore and stiff. Two days later my left knee was stiff sore but after warming up I was able to run for 40 minutes without pain, that is until I started cooling down, and it was just excruciating.

Now a week later I can hardly walk up and down stairs or run because of the sharp stabbing pain that has developed on the bottom inside of my left knee. It doesn't hurt when I am standing on it, it hurts when I am sitting down or when lifted during the running motion. Any advise would be great.

I have had my run evaluated and purchased shoes from PRC 4 weeks ago. I was thinking I should go back in and talk with them again, perhaps.
Thank you for your time!

renedej,

Congratulations on getting back into shape, being new to running there are a few things check. With the site and timing of pain as you describe there is most likely something in your running gait that is causing overuse to the inner knee region. Having too long of a stride is a common cause of inner knee pain in new runners. Keeping your foot placement under and behind you in a shorter and quicker gait eliminates higher impact forces which occur when striding out too far. If you are flexible as the muscles fatigue the joints become less stable as everything loosens up. Again, an efficient gait with less impact allows for longer time before fatigue sets in.

If you could reply to a few questions I can better pin down what is happening.

What is you level of flexibility? Do you have any injuries that have not been completely rehabbed? Do you have any instability in the ankles, knees or hips? And lastly, is there any marked inward angle of you legs at the knee region?

I’ll look for your reply and get back to you ASAP.

Cheers,

Dr. Bryan

Thanks for the reply!
In regard to my stride that may well be it. I start out with a pretty slow and small stride but once I have made it to the 2 1/2 or 3 mile mark I feel warm and ready to run and I may be pushing it a bit too much. My stretching ability is hard to say. I take a beginning yoga class and I would say that I am average in the class. I can touch my toes, the ground and do basic stretches especially well once I am warm, but I would not call myself extremely flexible. I never have been and never will be able to do the splits, hahaha... I hope that helps.

I have no previous injuries that have taken to the doctor. Although in high school I was a catcher in softball and changed my position to center field my final year because my knees were aching without a lot of relief. And about three years ago, while on a jog around my neighborhood, my left knee flared up and I practically collapsed. I have since stopped running. That is my history as far as knee issues. I have never had it looked at by a professional.

As far as stability in my ankles, knees and hips, I feel I can only reply yes. I do have wide hips though and weak leg muscles (currently!). In sports I have never rolled my ankle. My hips tend to be tight until I warm them up and stretch like hell.

My legs do not angle inward at the knee. I have seen runners with the angled leg and mine do not do that. Although, maybe they do just slightly enough so that i can not tell.

Yesterday I spent the day icing my knee as it was swollen in under the corner of my kneecap and very painful. today, it is still puffy and sore, and especially tender to the touch. Decending stairs is just awful so I am taking the elevator for the first time ever.

Thank you so much for your online advice! If you feel it is necessary for me to make an appointment I understand. I feel like I am losing time the longer I am unable to run!

renedej,

Thanks for the additional information, it is helpful. With a neutral gait and average flexibility and no significant injuries that would make your ankles unstable I would put the issue to low back, hips and pelvis. Obviously, this is the kind of thing we work will all the time and coming in would fast track getting you going, at least stop by the tables on Saturday in you are in Portland and have Ike check you out if you are in Vancouver.

On the mechanical side there may be some hip rotator contraction or limitation in your squat pattern from femur neck angle which would not allow you to comfortably have a knee to chest position. It’s a little technical here but something pretty specific must be off considering everything else is OK. Another factor can be anything causing pain or connective tissue restriction, current or past, in the pelvis like surgical scars, urinary tracts infections or irritable bowel syndrome symptoms. Long after the pain is gone tissue resistance can continue. The clinic number is 503-279-0205. Please let me know if there is anything else I can do to help.

Cheers,

Dr. Bryan