I am a beginner runner and have been running for about 1 1/2 months. I have had no problems and started trying to go a mile and built myself up to 3 miles. I have been running every day. On Friday I cleaned the house like a crazy person and then went for a 1.25 mile run with my son in the jogger. I absolutely do not remember doing anything to my knee. Friday night it was swollen and sore. Saturday was the same and I iced it and took it easy. Sunday I went to church and I shouldn't have kneeled on it but I did. Today it still hurts right on the inside of the knee cap. I am fine when I am sitting of standing, but walking is painful. I ran errands today and my car is a manual transmission; I cringed every time I had to push the clutch. I can sit with my leg straight, bent, Indian style, it's just when I move it to any position it hurts.
Am I just being a baby? I have been 3 days without running and I want to be able to go. Do I need to see the doctor or just calm down and let mother nature heal? Seems like a silly question, but I want it to get better :-)
You might have some inflamation and need an anti-inflamitory. Take Advil now and see if that helps. If it still hurts in a day or two, see the dr. And don't run for a while. :)
I don't think you are being a baby.
can you extend it fully?
is it black and blue or just swollen?
hot to the touch?
Ice it for 20 minutes at a time. If the pain persists past tomorrow - see an Orthopaedic dr - you may have dislocated your meniscus.
You may also need to learn how to run properly - i know that sounds funky - but if you don't run heal to toe you can be putting undue stress on your joints.
Wearing the proper shoes is VERY important as well!!
It sounds like you have "Runners Knee"...which is a very clinical term. Google it. I have the exact same problem and have been working with my chiropractor in the past 2 mos. Here's what I learned:
It's due to a muscle imbalance. Imagine your kneecap as something that's held in correct "suspension" by all of the surrounding muscles pulling on it with equal force. When one muscle becomes stronger than the others (and if it's your inner kneecap, your IT band is typically the culprit - I have the exact same thing), it pulls harder and forces things out of alignment. So your kneecap is literally being pulled up and away from it's natural position. It's "tipped" in it's resting state.
You can help this by strengthening the surrounding muscles, and stretching the culprit to bring everything back in to balance.
I would suggest seeing either a chiropractor (they're not only for backs!) or a massage therapist to pinpoint which muscles are being overworked, and what you need to stretch. For me, my adductors needed more work, as well as my calves, to balance the strength of my quads.
The good news is that it's not terribly serious, and you can address it. The bad news is that it's a recurring issue if you're not vigilant about it.
In addition to what Manda said: I probably wouldn't run everyday once you are healed, you have to let your body rest. I run about 3-4x a week. I also take Glucosamine with MSM, totally works on my knees. Not saying it's going to help your problem now but please rest. No point on injuring it bad enough where you won't be able to run any more. You could also see a sports medicine doc. Might need different running shoes as well.
I had this too, does it feel ok when its warm? You have to make sure you warm up and warm down when you run. Try placing heat on it for 30 minutes and still take it easy, do a walk instead of a run until you can run comfortably again.
