Saturday, September 12, 2009

At my wits end...

Sorry for the absence from blogland. Things have been very busy at work and I am still in a bit of a funk with running.

I have reached a point where I don't know what to do anymore with my knee. I have rested, I have iced, I have stretched, I have incorporated strength training, I have been implementing my TriPower routine, I have slowed down, I have crossed trained... I have done almost everything I can think of ... besides taking a longer break.

I am down right irritated. Frustrated. At my wits ends with this issue.


Knee history:

I had a problem with this same knee in February and saw a PT. I was given exercises, did them and the knee improved. In June I had some issues with the same knee after a night of volleyball and softball. Something was "pinching" on the inside and there was a pain behind my knee that was running down to my ankle - almost as if a ITBand issue. It was painful.


Current issues:

I am only able to run about two miles, maybe three miles before the "pain" sets in. I use quotes because it isn't a pain, but more of a tightness/stiffness that forms on the upper-outside of my right knee. After stretching like crazy after a run, it really isn't noticeable. The knee doesn't really bother me when I am walking even though I know it doesn't feel right. I have felt my knees while walking a bit, and my right knee does this weird popping thing. What the heck is going on?


What to do next?

I have thought about cutting out running for a while, but it's a hard thing to do. Why is it that all you want to do is run, when you know you shouldn't? I am going to cut back, significantly.... keep up with my swimming and biking while encorporating more yoga, stretching, PT exercises, and strength training.

I feel like this a never-ending issue and it's all I talk about. I am sure all of you are sick of hearing about it. I am trying to figure out what I need to do next. Go back to my PT even though it's different issues but same knee? See a different specialist, but who? A friend recommended a chiropractor type guy that has been a miracle worker for her, but is that what I need?

22 comments:

IzzyBubbles said...

I would say go back to your PT...if for nothing but to have someone else to help you figure out what's going on. I think the worst thing when you have an injury is not knowing what it is or how to heal it, so maybe going back to your PT would be a step in that direction.

Kelly said...

Believe me when I say I TOTALLY feel your pain- no pun intended. After my super motivational "I'm getting back into running" post- my knee clearly hurt all day even though I foam rolled, only ran a total of maybe 6 minutes AND stretched a lot after. I cannot go back to PT because my insurance will only cover for 2 months and the ortho doctor said they don't worry about this til its been hurting for a year. WHAT?! It's been 6 months and I have not run and STILL its not GONE. I am currently taking all my frustration out on your poor comments section. But anyway, it's driving me crazy so I fully feel your pain and do not know what to do either.

SavvyFitChica said...

No, I'm not sick of reading about it. If it's what's bothering you and what's on your mind, then blog away baby.

I'm sorry it's bothering you. How are your hips? Are they tight? Your knee pain sounds identical to mine and it comes from my IT band being tight, which comes from my hips being tight/inflexible. Try to get the book chirunning or google/youtube "pose form" of running.

You'll get through this. Don't worry.

Annette said...

So sorry to hear all this. I do know how you feel. I've been there and it sucks! It took my 2 years to finally get past it. My recommendation. . . find a place that will look at your body as a whole, not just your knee. Once I did that it was discovered that my problem was my hip - not my knee. My knee was just compensating for the work my hip wasn't doing. Good luck and enjoy your other workouts in the meantime.

Stef0115 said...

I would say see someone and I like the idea of finding someone to look at the whole body as Annette suggests.

The answer is totally there and you will find it!!

Carly said...

sorry about the knee. I LOVE my chiropractor and see him/her (i have 2) before I go to an MD. They really are my miracle workers.

Lily on the Road said...

Stacy, it is frustrating, I totally understand, however, baseball and volleyball, with all the starting, stopping, twisting and turning then standing still are much harder on your knee than running (IMHO). I had to make a choice, so I gave up V.B. and B. ball, now enjoy running (shorter distances for now), cycling and swimming....

you know what will work best for you, until then, look after yourself!! xoxoxo

Jess said...

Definitely sounds like your IT band, which I understand your pain with since I had ITBS in 2007 and it really sucked for about 4 months until I finally decided that a lengthy hiatus from running was the only cure. Here's what I did at the time:

Saw a doctor to get a confirmed ITBS diagnosis. Took 5 solid weeks of running off. Took an NSAID 3 times a day, every day for those 5 weeks.

Then, when I resumed running, I kept my distances short and my pace easy, and I foam rollered and iced after each run. After about 2 weeks of easing back into it, I was able to slowly ramp up the mileage again. Since then, I haven't ever had trouble again with it.

Aka Alice said...

Good advice from lots of peeps here (I'm selfishly reading all of it because I'm starting to have some knee issues too...)

I'd only echo that I think going back to the PT is a good idea... What I've learned about injuries is that you certainly can't ignore them.

I'm totally with you on the start of school busy-ness thing :-P

Unknown said...

I haven't read the other comments, but I would go back to PT and STOP RUNNING for now. Seriously. Figure out what is going on so it can be fixed.

I took a few months completely off running to work on my knee. It sucked. And then I started back s-l-o-w-l-y and keep up with the PT and yoga. I waited a good 9 months before getting serious about running distance again.

Unknown said...

I agree with what others have said. Especially one that will look at your entire body. I went to a Sports Medicine doctor for my knee pain and she was wonderful. Good luck with your training!

Marlene said...

Aw man, that sucks. I wish I knew what to say. Good luck!

Ms. V. said...

No one gets sick of other athletes talking about their ailments. We all have them!! Hang in there!!!

N.D. said...

Hang in there -you'll be back soon :)

Carolina John said...

wow girl. just wow. i really wish i had more for you, but you've already done everything i know about. that's the same thing i would do.

but i'm right there with you. this stupid hip thing annoys me all the time, even when i stand up from my desk at work. i don't know what else to try. i'm waiting for a chiropractor appt.

Anonymous said...

Not sure what advice to give, but I'm pulling for you. Best of luck getting back in shape!

J said...

Maybe go see an orthopedic doctor - a PT is good too but the doctor does the insides and out of the knee. Is there any swelling. I know it sucks not to run - I am going on 9 weeks on non-running so i understand. But honestly to get rid of the problem for good is the best thing so just try to see someone and go from there.

Wes said...

Loads of good advice here chica! Never surrender!!

tri_al said...

i second all the above advice in the 'stop running' factor. you're body is telling you something, and even though you can't quite make out the words, you have to listen. have a rest, try different treatments (PT,Chiro) and concentrate your energies on swimming in the meantime.

X-Country2 said...

Sounds like you're doing all the right things. Hang in there. I know it's hard.

K said...

Go to the Chiropractor guy-especialy if he does Active Release Therapy (ART). That stuff works! It cured my IT Band problems in 3 treatments.

Good luck>

Scott McMurtrey said...

any place where you can do some miles on grass? barefoot. might be worth looking into if you simply can't get away from these nagging injuries. i've been reading up on it lately. lot's of advantages, especially with injury prevention.