Physio advice for my niggly knee...

[Sandraj39]

Well, I ran again yesterday - 5k this time. All ok-ish but my left knee was quite niggly at times and I felt quite tight in places too. Saw wonderful physio lady today, who knows my significant history (!). After a good chat, watching me run up a down the car park a few times(!) and a thorough examination, she thinks it is related to my left side/right side imbalance which has resulted in me overcompensating in certain areas ( and overdoing it on the maxiclimber!). My left quads and hip flexors are particularly tight, so she worked on this area and has given me a set of strength and flexibility exercises. She also recommended I dig out my more supportive Brooks Ravenna's to run in, rather than the slightly less supportive Caldera trail shoes that I have favoured of late!🙄 Hopefully, things will continue to settle and I have been advised to keep runs 'short'😕 for a bit while they do. At least I am back out there and making progress - any run is better than no run at all!

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

Well done for getting expert advice Sandra. All trail shoes are neutral but you can get insoles to provide the support you need. UpTheStanley ran up the road in several insoles at our local running shop before buying the right ones for him.

[Sandraj39 Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Thanks Dexy. I was aware that trail shoes are neutral but these are known to be quite supportive (for a trail shoe). This isn't usually an issue for me on the muddy trails but I have ( hangs head in shame) been pounding the pavement in them because they are so comfy!! I will obviously go back to my Caldera's for the pavements. Much of my 'imbalance' actually comes from some nerve damage I sustained following a bad back and sciatica a couple of years ago. Although this is rarely an issue for me now, she thinks overdoing things on the maxiclimber has flagged up a few of those compensation issues! I will see how things settle but may look for an orthotic on my left side if physio thinks it might help.🙂

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to Sandraj39]

You have my sympathy with the sciatica Sandra. I had a spell of it last month (diagnosed by physio when I thought I had PF). It just niggles away at you. Thankfully the exercises and last week’s 9.5km seem to have sorted it all out. Hope the change in shoes does the job for you

[Deals1 Graduate10]

Sounds like u got some good advice.

Pleased u r back out there 😊

[Realfoodieclub Graduate10]

It must be physio week this week! Glad they are getting to the bottom of things for you. I always used to run in brooks Ravenna they were perfect for me until the 8’s and then they narrowed the toe. ☹️. I’m sure your physio work will have you sorted soon. I have been doing mine for three weeks and my physio was really pleased with my progress on Monday. Speedy recovery. Rfc x

[linda9389 Graduate10]

I agree - short runs can be very fulfilling after a perod on the IC - they can be some of the very best in fact, allowing you to really appreciate the whole experience. You're back on track and sounds like you're in very good hands. Hopefully progress will continue apace now 🤞

[damienair Administrator]

I run in Brooks GTS. I had a niggle in my left knee after my last Parkrun 10 days ago. A few days later I did a 7K run and the niggle came back. So I took a break for a few days before running a 10K race on Sunday. The niggle came back after 2K and went away and came back after 8K. It was quite sore afterwards and next day. My legs were tired anyway so I relaxed since. I bought a knee support yesterday and wore it this evening on a 5K run. My knee was really well supported and there was no niggle thankfully.

Damien

[Irishprincess Graduate10]

That all sounds on the right track Sandra. A physio told me that most of us are imbalanced and running highlights those areas. I guess building up a strong body is the solution 🙂