please help!!

[Sally22]

Hi

I have been a keen runner for many years and have suffered no injuries. After one of my runs I noticed some discomfort to the lateral aspect of my knee..this pain now returns during every run, but goes away immediately after I stop..i have no pain doing anything eles- walking, stairs etc even putting the lateral aspect on stretch is not painful.

A friend suggested it was a tight IT band? Any ideas?? I have rested for nearly 3 weeks, and tried to go for a short and slow jog earlier, but the pain began pretty much immediately again. (the pain was going down most of my lower leg, as well as the lateral aspect of knee)

Please help, its driving me crazy not being able to gor running as Im used to going very regularly.

Any advice would be appreciated!

Thanks, sal

[ATTIreland]

Hi Sal,

Interesting case. The most common lateral (outside) knee pain in runners is Iliotibial band friction syndrome which is pretty much what your friend was talking about. Not sure if its the cause here given that you say the pain can radiate down half your lower leg as well but could well be the reason. Did you do much work on your ITB's while resting or did you just not run?

To get a better idea of whats going on you'd need to answer the following:
Was the pain something that came on suddenly or did it build gradually over a period of time? What type of pain is it (i.e. Is it a sharp shooting pain or more of a generalised ache, etc)? Does the pain feel deep inside the knee or to the surface (ie just under the skin). Have you any back pain or stiffness at the moment? Do you only get pain with running or do other loading exercises cause pain (jumping jacks, hops on spot).

Answer those and it'll help get a better picture.

[Sally22]

Thank you for your message!

Haven't done any work on my IT band, as Im not sure what to do for it (I looked up some stretches, but they didn't feel very effectoive when I tried them).

In answer to your questions-
Yes the pain came on immediately after a particular run (although I wasn't aware of anything particular that could have caused it)

The pain is a kind of deep ache and can be very intense

No problems with my back

And yes the poain only occurs with running- no problems with walking, going up or down stairs, cycling etc. However, if I have aggrevated it by going running, the walking immediately after is painful. (Hopping and jumping jacks are pain free).

I have avoided running and been doing cycling instead as this is pain free, as well as stretching and pilates.

Thank you again for your message

[physiofixme]

Sounds like an ITB problem whih can cause patellofemoral symptoms - meaning your kneecap doesn't track properly when you run.

Some things to try: Use a tennis ball to massage your itb....along the outside of your thigh. You can try taping your kneecap when you run (I'd try a search on you tube for patellofemoral taping to see how to do this)
The other thing to look at is a strengthening programme.....one of the reasons your ITB causes problems is because it is tight, and it usually gets tight to compensate for weaknesses in other muscles. A good strength programme will sort this imbalance out.

Have a look at my website: Patellofemoral Syndrome (runner’s knee) Physiofixme

Hope this helps

[Sally22]

Thank you very much! I am looking at your website now and it looks really interesting! Thanks again, sally