Damn you injury couch!

[paul2014]

Hi all,

As some of you may already be aware, the last couple of weeks I have been having a little knee trouble. I think it started after my last hill training run. I felt pain in both knees but the right knee settled down. However, my left knee is still giving me problems.

I spent last week resting my knee and didn't run at all. I was placing an ice pack on my knee two to three times a day and taking ibuprofen twice a day.

Yesterday I tried a gentle run on my treadmill (hoping it would be less of an impact on my knee than running outside). I managed a 30 minute run but only covering 3k and my knee started playing up after about 2k.

As some of you may also know, I've signed up to run in the Middlesbrough Tees Pride 10k race this Sunday (10th Anniversary of the race) but it may be that I have to pull out which will be a massive blow to me. I was so looking forward to my first 'official' race. All the information and kilometre marker signs have now been erected along the route which is making me even more frustrated!

I'm going to have another little run on Thursday and see how I feel before making a decision. Damn you injury couch!

[Irishprincess Graduate]

Oh Paul what a bu**er! I think you're doing the right thing and considering not doing the run. I know you'll be really disappointed but you don't want to do yourself longer term injury and there will be other runs.

I don't know what the problem is with your knees but have you been doing the exercises posted here and stretching them? I've been foam rollering mine too ( especially on the inside of the knee) and boy it hurts but I reckon that's due to my tight muscles! Might be worth a shot.

Take care, keep icing and I'm sure you'll make the right decision.

[paul2014 Graduate in reply to Irishprincess]

Thanks. That's my concern, doing more harm. I must admit I don't stretch before or after, I just warm up/down with walks. I tried stretching after runs but it seemed to aggravate my hip/sciatica so stopped.

[Irishprincess Graduate in reply to paul2014]

Maybe you should ask a sports physio to give you stretching exercises that won't aggregate your hip/sciatica. If you have a running shop or club near you, you can ask them for recommendations for a physio.

[paul2014 Graduate in reply to Irishprincess]

That's a good idea. Thanks

[AncientMum Graduate]

Oh Paul such terrible news. Why not try get an appointment with a physio. Mine has worked wonders on my knee. I really wish I'd consulted him sooner and maybe avoided having such a long stretch on the injury couch, not to mention all the pain and limping I put up with. In the meantime, are you doing loads and loads of quad exercises? They have really helped me. Good luck m'dear. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you x

[paul2014 Graduate in reply to AncientMum]

Did you get referred by your GP? I've been looking on line for sports therapists and there's a local one at the nearby Teesside polytechnic. It seems to be about £30 a session.

[AncientMum Graduate]

No, I couldn't wait and I wanted to see someone with a special interest in knees and running. Each session has cost me £35 and it has been worth every penny. Go for it Paul, you won't regret it!

[paul2014 Graduate in reply to AncientMum]

Thanks. I'm the same, I'd rather see someone who 'specialises' in running injuries etc. plus I've had experience in 'waiting' to see physios through my GP.

[Hidden]

I don't have any experience with knees but a specialist sports physio sorted out my shoulder when I had torn tendons. They really can work wonders.

[paul2014 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for the advice, henpen. Much appreciated

[Rosebery Graduate]

I haven't tried it but my gp told me that in this area there is a system where you can self refer to an nhs physio - maybe you have there near you too?

[paul2014 Graduate in reply to Rosebery]

That's interesting to know. Thanks for that

[Rosebery Graduate in reply to paul2014]

No problem I found this if it's of any use - it seems that self -referral is available in some areas so you will have to do a bit of research on your area.

nhs.uk/Conditions/Physiothe...

[paul2014 Graduate in reply to Rosebery]

Thanks again. Much appreciated.

[misswobble Graduate]

I hope you can get it sorted out in time for your race Paul.

Good luck with the physio

[paul2014 Graduate in reply to misswobble]

Thanks, Miss W

[poppypug Graduate]

Oh Paul , I am so sorry to hear about your knee, what a blow . You were going great guns , too.

Fingers crossed you get sorted one way or another, that is such a shame. xxx

[paul2014 Graduate in reply to poppypug]

Thank you. I know, and the timing couldn't have been any worse!

[Hidden]

Sorry to hear that mate... what a blow... no point running on it if it makes it worse though so I hope you can get to see someone soon about it... You know we'll all say "rest" but I also know too well how much that couch sucks...

Get better soon mate... fingers and toes crossed for you!

[paul2014 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thanks, Aussie. Yep, the couch sucks all right

[I_will Graduate]

Sorry to hear that. I wonder if taking ibuprofen more regularly would be beneficial. I understand that it works in an accumulative way although I'm no medic

I hope you get on top of it soon and are back out running again. It must be disappointing for you

[paul2014 Graduate in reply to I_will]

Thank you That's what I was thinking re ibuprofen. I was taking it each morning and each night for a week leading up to my run yesterday.

[grannyjudes Graduate]

Oh you poor thing, how disappointing. I really hope the knee mends and you can run, but if not, dont be to sad, you dont want toundo any good you done, but yeah damn you injury couch

[paul2014 Graduate in reply to grannyjudes]

Thanks, grannyjudes It's a bit of a constant battle between wanting to get out and run and holding back in case I make things worse!

[Miles_Yonder Graduate]

So sorry to hear this, Paul; I fully understand what a huge blow this must be to you. You're doing the right thing in resting though, whilst trying gentle runs to see if things have improved. I really really hope your knees are better in time for your race, which I know you're so looking forward to. Seeing a physio would definitely be a good thing; I want to see one too and I won't be bothering with the NHS wait either and would prefer to see a physio who specialises in running.

Hope you and your knees feel better really soon and up to racing - and do keep us informed, Paul.

[paul2014 Graduate in reply to Miles_Yonder]

Tha nks, MY ;o) I'm going to attempt another gentle run on the treadmill on Thursday just to get a feel as to how things are. You're right, I was really, really looking forward to the 10k run!

[Hidden]

What a terrible disappointment, hope you're better soon

[paul2014 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. Mee too ;o)

[notbad Graduate]

Really sorry to read this, I know how rough it is when you have to sit out an event you've trained hard for, hope you feel better soon.

[paul2014 Graduate in reply to notbad]

Thanks ;o) Thing is I had built up to running the 10k distance so knew I could go out on 'race' day and just enjoy the run.

[AmberC Graduate]

So sad to hear things are not improving as quickly as you would like. And as sad as it is, it sounds like it maybe a sensible idea to pull out of the race.....if your knee is playing up after 2km on the treadmill, it does not sound good for10km on the road. Plus you don't want to push it now and end up with an even worse injury. Perhaps it's time for a physio appointment.

[paul2014 Graduate in reply to AmberC]

Thank you. That's exactly what I'm thinking, if it's playing up after 2k that means I would have another 8k to go!

[paul2014 Graduate]

Hi all, a quick update. I have made an appointment to see a sports therapist this Friday. It'll be £30 for up to an hour assesment/treatment etc, but I didn't want to go through the GP / referal / physio route as I'm desperate to get this sorted ASAP. I'm missing my running ;o) Fingers crossed it's something fairly straight forward to treat. Hmmmm, wonder if they can work their magic in time for this weekend ;o)

[Vixchile Graduate in reply to paul2014]

Oh so sorry to hear about your knees, some times its best just to pay to get it seen quickly and by a specialist. Hope he/she has some good news for you and its nothing too serious. Regarding the run, see what they say but i know its very frustrating but you don't want to do more damage to it !!!

ever since my knee felt weak i did as AM advised and my knee is great. Actually better do my exercises today!!!

Fingers crossed

[paul2014 Graduate in reply to Vixchile]

Fingers crossed Yep, I've been looking at the knee strengthening exercises posted by AM but I'm going to wait until I've visited the sports therapist first

[notbad Graduate in reply to paul2014]

Very wise, hope that gets you in the right direction. Those miles are in the running bank so even if you do have to take time out it won't be back to square one.

[paul2014 Graduate in reply to notbad]

That's a bonus which is also why I wanted to get it seen sooner rather than later.

[AncientMum Graduate in reply to paul2014]

Really hope your physio can help you and quickly!! Keep us informed x

[paul2014 Graduate in reply to AncientMum]

Thanks, and I will

[poppypug Graduate]

All the best Paul, best to get it seen to now rather than later, Good Luck xxx

[paul2014 Graduate in reply to poppypug]

Thank you. My thoughts exactly