Nearly half way and sprained knee....

[Elizawho77]

Hi all

On the first run of week 4 I sprained my knee ( okay I didn't stretch and now I know the importance- lesson no 1 learned!)

Not wanting to give up I rested, iced, compressed and elevated for 2 days and did week 4 run 2 with kneed support. The pain came back so repeated RICE, had a 4 day break and then completed week 4 run 3. Next day I could barely bend my knee lesson 2 learned.... a few days rest won't fix a bad knee 😞

I so desperately didn't want to stop as this time I'm determined but I figured that it's actually more important to be able to walk then run!

I've had a week off running now, I'm missing it and really want to get back and although I'm pain free, I know I'm still not 100% so I'm going to give it another week of rest and some gentle exercise and swimming.

So, next week I'm determined to come back, will strap the knee up.... would you advise I complete week 4 again or attempt week 5? Other then the pain in my leg I didn't struggle with week 4.

[Whatsapp Graduate]

If I'm following this right, you last run a week ago. In which case go into week 5. I had more time away than this and came back to a harder week. You shouldn't have lost too much in the way of stamina, you just might be slower than you were. No big deal as this will soon be back to scratch after a couple of runs.

[Elizawho77 Graduate in reply to Whatsapp]

Thank you!

Yes was a week ago but it's still not right so I'm going to spend this week with light exercise and swimming then run next week so will be 2 weeks in total off

[Rignold]

If you have sprained your knee you should not be doing anything on it at all for at least a fortnight

[Elizawho77 Graduate in reply to Rignold]

Oh not even swimming? 😞

[Rignold in reply to Elizawho77]

swimming is not usually loadbearing on the knee. If it is you are doing it wrong.

However, I would still say no. A sprained knee should be immobilised. I'm surprised you can even walk on it.

[Elizawho77 Graduate in reply to Rignold]

Oh I'm just guessing it's sprained I'm not a doctor so just googled 🙈 and it sounded less traumatic then a pulled ligament or cartridge damage. I don't believe In going to the doctors unless Im really bad so if the pain didn't go I would have sought help by now.

Whatever I've done I know I should rest it and take it easy a little longer, and will make sure I strap it up and stretch before my next run! When I do go running again, if the pain comes back I will go to the doctors.

Thanks for your advice

[davelinks Graduate]

If your knees good then go for w5r1, remember slow and steady wins!😊

[Millsie-J Graduate]

How do you know it's a sprain?

It is really important to take care with knee pain. If you still have it after this time I would get a proper diagnosis rather than continue a trial and error approach.

[Elizawho77 Graduate in reply to Millsie-J]

I don't

There is no pain now though and I can bend it completely there is just a small ache generally of an evening when I've used it all day hence why I think I should give it another weeks rest?

I think I would be fine now if I had given more time to recover when it first happened. If it's still like this next week I will seek a professional opinion before running again.