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What Causes Knee Pain After Running?
Question: I have been running since 5-6 months now, i run on every sat-sun 6 km / run. I love running outside but i dont have access to any ground or park, i run on
the roads. I always have some or the other problem with my left knee. Previously i noticed some pain which mostly matches with Runner's knee symptoms(i.e. feeling pinching pain while climbing the stairs ). Couple of weeks back i consulted one doctor on the same portal and on his advice i bought elastic knee support.
But now i am noticing slightly different problem with the left knee. I feel stiffness in the left knee.Specially if i try to fold my leg in such a way that i want to touch my ankles to my thighs , i feel the tightness/stiffness on the left knee. Also, i am sometimes noticing pain on the left side of the knee but its not always. Sometimes i just start walking and suddenly (as if i twisted my knee in some wrong way) pain will start ( left side of the knee or back of the knee). This i am completely unable to understand.
The pain is less when i run on treadmill rather than running outside but its not completely gone.
the roads. I always have some or the other problem with my left knee. Previously i noticed some pain which mostly matches with Runner's knee symptoms(i.e. feeling pinching pain while climbing the stairs ). Couple of weeks back i consulted one doctor on the same portal and on his advice i bought elastic knee support.
But now i am noticing slightly different problem with the left knee. I feel stiffness in the left knee.Specially if i try to fold my leg in such a way that i want to touch my ankles to my thighs , i feel the tightness/stiffness on the left knee. Also, i am sometimes noticing pain on the left side of the knee but its not always. Sometimes i just start walking and suddenly (as if i twisted my knee in some wrong way) pain will start ( left side of the knee or back of the knee). This i am completely unable to understand.
The pain is less when i run on treadmill rather than running outside but its not completely gone.
Brief Answer:
Palatofemoral Pain is what this sounds like. What shoes are you wearing?
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX Thanks for coming to HealthCareMagic.
From what you've described, I agree with your diagnosis of runners knee. We call it Pallatofemoral pain since we like calling things by very complicated names. Now the issue is the Stiffness and tightness can be described by this quite well and if this is worsening then it means you need to cut back on the duration or intensity of your running to bring this under control for the time being. You might be stressing the knee joint more than it is ready for.
The pain when you start walking (as if you twisted your knee) seems to me to be an injury to one of the ligaments that stabilize the knee. Commonly, the ligament injured is the ACL.
This means that either you running style or your shoes have lead to some instability during your run. I would strongly suggest you talk to a physical therapist about your issue and have them train you in a good running style (most of us runners start with a bad style, it doesn't matter so much when running on a treadmill, but on hard unyeilding pavement and in traffic, it matters a great deal) . At the same time, have them examine the arch of your foot and make sure that the running shoes you are using are providing the support that you require. If you have a high arch, you might need orthotic insoles (special insoles that you can buy at a surgical or medical shop) to help support the arch.
Finally rest yourself a bit and make sure the pain goes away, if the pain diminishes, then you know that the pain you have been feeling is due to a STRAIN, not a TEAR. If the pain gets worse or doesn't go away, or if swelling developed in the knee, you will need an MRI of the knee and a consult with a good Orthopedic specialist.
Sports like running are best gradually built up and if you possibly can, try and find a space where you can run safely without the fear of dodging traffic.
For occasional pain relief you an rest, use ice packs on the knee (20mins XXXXXXX contact with skin) and OTC pain killers like Paracetamol or Ibuprofen.
I hope this helps. Enjoy your runs!
Vinay
Palatofemoral Pain is what this sounds like. What shoes are you wearing?
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX Thanks for coming to HealthCareMagic.
From what you've described, I agree with your diagnosis of runners knee. We call it Pallatofemoral pain since we like calling things by very complicated names. Now the issue is the Stiffness and tightness can be described by this quite well and if this is worsening then it means you need to cut back on the duration or intensity of your running to bring this under control for the time being. You might be stressing the knee joint more than it is ready for.
The pain when you start walking (as if you twisted your knee) seems to me to be an injury to one of the ligaments that stabilize the knee. Commonly, the ligament injured is the ACL.
This means that either you running style or your shoes have lead to some instability during your run. I would strongly suggest you talk to a physical therapist about your issue and have them train you in a good running style (most of us runners start with a bad style, it doesn't matter so much when running on a treadmill, but on hard unyeilding pavement and in traffic, it matters a great deal) . At the same time, have them examine the arch of your foot and make sure that the running shoes you are using are providing the support that you require. If you have a high arch, you might need orthotic insoles (special insoles that you can buy at a surgical or medical shop) to help support the arch.
Finally rest yourself a bit and make sure the pain goes away, if the pain diminishes, then you know that the pain you have been feeling is due to a STRAIN, not a TEAR. If the pain gets worse or doesn't go away, or if swelling developed in the knee, you will need an MRI of the knee and a consult with a good Orthopedic specialist.
Sports like running are best gradually built up and if you possibly can, try and find a space where you can run safely without the fear of dodging traffic.
For occasional pain relief you an rest, use ice packs on the knee (20mins XXXXXXX contact with skin) and OTC pain killers like Paracetamol or Ibuprofen.
I hope this helps. Enjoy your runs!
Vinay
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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