What the doctor said (about my knee) - Couch to 5K

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What the doctor said (about my knee)

51 Replies

Well, I truly love my doctor!! In a strictly platonic patient-to-doctor way you understand. Dr Evans just so happens to be an experienced runner himself, and a sports injury specialist. How good is that?!

It turns out I'm suffering from Pes Anserine Bursitis, which is inflammation of the fluid sac that cushions the bones from the group of tendons that run just below the knee on the inside of the leg.

He said that it should improve with time, which it is, and not to worry too much, but to take it easy and keep up my rest days etc. Apparently this is very common in new runners, and, as I suspected, is probably caused by landing badly on the rather uneven towpath.

So it sounds like I shall be fine, and no permanent damage done, and once my body is used to running, it is unlikely to reoccur.

Sorry if this post seems rather self-centred, it's just that some of you kindly asked about how it went at the doctors.

You know what? You lot are a genuinely lovely bunch of people. You're awesome!!!

51 Replies
Mummycav profile image
MummycavAdministratorGraduate

So glad you know what it is & it’s nothing to worry about!! Our running buddy can continue on with us...that’s what we’re bothered about 😊

in reply to Mummycav

Awwww thanks, that's so lovely, you'll make my cry!! As you might have picked up, I'm going through a bit of a rough time at the moment, and it's lovely comments like that which help me to feel that I'm worth something. Thank you mummycav and everyone else, you are all awesome!!

Bluebirdrunner profile image
BluebirdrunnerGraduate

Phew...😊..sooo pleased that your lovely doc has seen you and given you the go ahead...I've been a bit worried about you (you may have noticed 😉) as its very easy to make an injury worse by still running on it when its serious..

So...look forward to hearing your next run report and that you are still taking it nice and steady..Go Neil😊x

in reply to Bluebirdrunner

Thanks Jan, yes that was my worry, that he would say I had to stop running, but fortunately it's fine. Thanks for worrying about me, Jan x

Wannabefit19 profile image
Wannabefit19Graduate

Sounds like a great doctor and a reassuring consultation ... follow his rules and we are all behind you . Slow and steady and extra rest days if needed ..

in reply to Wannabefit19

Thanks, that's what I'm going for, slow and steady as always, and if I need an extra rest day I'll take one :-)

ejvcruns profile image
ejvcrunsGraduate

Dr Evans sounds a gem. Glad you will be back running soon enough. Thanks for the report!

in reply to ejvcruns

Thanks ejvc, our surgery is great. Small, you can always get an appointment, you normally get to see your own doctor, and mine happens to specialise in sports injuries. Seriously, I described my symptoms, and he put his finger on the exact point where the pain was. The guy's a genius!!

Sadie-runs profile image
Sadie-runsGraduate

😀😀😀

Great news! So happy for you, buddy. I know somewhere in the back of your mind you were worried this would pop up to haunt you, but from what your lovely doctor said, this is just a new runner thing and you are unlikely to suffer again. (Just keep up your knee exercises! More muscle around the knee makes for stronger knees!)

As for your worth...never doubt your worth. You have made some Very Good Pals on this site because you are a Very Good Person.

Here's to many more happy runs! 🏃🏻 😘

in reply to Sadie-runs

Awww thanks Sadie! Yes, new runner thing which should settle down completely. It was quite funny actually, I said to him that I'd started running as a way to try to combat my depression, and he laughed and said "what have you done?". I think he may well be a much more advanced runner, but he was really great actually, we talked about C25K, park runs, the benefits of exercise on mental health... and on top of that, he's a really nice bloke.

Off do so some knee strengthening exercises I think...

Wantorun2013 profile image
Wantorun2013Graduate

Well that was a great consultation well done glad you have come away with an answer. Enjoy your run just leaving for mine now W4R2 another warm morning. Have a good day x

in reply to Wantorun2013

thanks!! How did you get on with your run?

Richard7 profile image
Richard7Graduate

Glad you got a quick diagnosis and it’s nothing major or permanent. Take it easy and use the rest days well.

in reply to Richard7

Yes I am too! Useful to have a runner's perspective on things too. And yes, I plan to take it easy. But not too easy ;)

Sandyscroll profile image
Sandyscroll

That's fantastic news! And very helpful to some of us whose doctors aren't so great or can't get past the receptionists to get to see the doctor (receptionists are the new triage in some practises I hear - not great for them or anyone else I'd imagine). Slow and steady! ☺

in reply to Sandyscroll

Thanks Sandy, my old pratice where I used to live had turned into one of these use health centres. It was truly awful. No consistency, you felt like you were just an electronic record in a computer. My new surgery is great. Appointments always available at short notice, all the doctors are great, especially mine, receiptionists not little hitlers, but really helpful and accomodating.

Cornet-Carolyn profile image
Cornet-CarolynGraduate

That’s a relief and I’m glad you can carry on running. Rest days are good and slow and steady 🏃👍

in reply to Cornet-Carolyn

Yes I'm glad too :) And you are so right about the slow and steady. Since I really started embracing that, things are going better! Although it is nice to have a nice blast for a few hundred yards now and again...

Amazing news, you must be relieved? I had that in my ankle at one point and the swelling was terrible but it soon went. Fingers crossed you won’t be struggling much longer.

in reply to

Thanks Minnow, yes, I am relieved to be honest. I wasn't really ready for my short running career to be that short! are you doing OK?

in reply to

Haha you’ve got no excuse now 😉 I’m ok thanks, had a bit of a tough week with my confidence but I feel great after my run. You haven’t got long left on this programme, have you?

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate

That all sounds truly positive! Go your Doctor!

Do as he says and take it gently as you go...the runs are always there, and you K-need..( see what I did there?) to take care of you! :)

in reply to Oldfloss

Thanks floss! And yes, I saw what you did there! Puns are awesome, a woman after my own heart!!

DebJogsOn profile image
DebJogsOnGraduate

The best news Neil! Graduation awaits! 😊

in reply to DebJogsOn

Hopefully!! But yes, I am relieved. Oh well done on your run 2 btw, only just seen that. I'll read the post properly later.

Millsie-J profile image
Millsie-JGraduate

Excellent news. Go steady and enjoy!

Did he advise knee strengthening exetcises? I was given some by my physio and can really see improvement 👍🏼

in reply to Millsie-J

Thanks!

We did talk about the knee strengthening, he said it was a good idea to keep on with the ones I'd been doing, and that given a bit of time it should be good as new.

JaneM21 profile image
JaneM21Graduate

THANK YOU SO MUCH! 😃

Why particularly? Because you’ve made me feel so much better!

My last lot of posts related to an ankle injury - probably caused by doing too much too soon. I was determined to get back as soon as I could (too soon?) but managed to complete my W9R3 and my first Parkrun. This was ok, but I had to walk far more than I would have liked, and still had a twinge in my left foot. Nothing serious.... I can conquer this 😖 On my next run (take it easy I thought - a little 20min joggle) I think I over compensated for the foot, and ended up with something going on in my right knee. I did at least stop running at that point. Only a twinge - but the next day it was really painful! Today is the first day when it has started to feel better. I haven’t been to the doctor, but your description of your symptoms sound identical, and I’m hopeful that mine is the same and therefore not too serious.

I didn’t want to post about my knee, because I knew I’d get a cyber ticking-off for not resting enough!

The desire to get back to it though is more than just fitness. There’s that very real worry that if I leave it too long, winter/dark nights& mornings/cold weather etc will all conspire to stop me from doing this and set me right back to the beginning, and I really don’t want that!

I was worried enough about my knee last night to offer a little plea heavenwards - and lo and behold - there was your post looking at me this morning! Interpret that how you will!

So thank you! I’ve read all the very sound advice that everyone has put on here. I feel a lot less worried, and this time, I will try and be sensible! 😝

in reply to JaneM21

Hi Jane,

Yeah it's weird isn't it, what starts as just a twinge can be really painful later on. I'm so so glad you are starting to feel better though, and always happy to be an answer to prayer!

People far wiser than I have offered sound advice, which I'm sure we can both take. I'm thinking of you though, and wish you all the best for a speedy recovery!

Neil

Millsie-J profile image
Millsie-JGraduate in reply to JaneM21

Take it easy runner JaneM21 , those running legs are precious👍🏼

Kimchoc08 profile image
Kimchoc08Graduate

So glad that’s it’s not an injury that would stop you from running 😊

in reply to Kimchoc08

Me too Kim!

It's funny, I never thought I'd make it this far. W8R2 tomorrow for me... hopefully I'll be joining you on the podium before too long! How are you finding it post-graduation?

Kimchoc08 profile image
Kimchoc08Graduate in reply to

Loving it 😁 At the moment I’m just getting out there and running as often as I can for 5k and it’s wonderful 😁 I never thought for one moment that running would be my thing 😊

in reply to Kimchoc08

Nor me!! Really glad you are keeping on with it and enjoying it. I'm hoping to do the same :)

misswobble profile image
misswobbleGraduate

Yep, your knees will strengthen As long as you,go,steady and progress carefully you'll be ok

Handy to have a running gp! 😁👍. Mine forewarns of Doom for me "further down the line when you get joint problems in later life". He's only miffed as I refused his offer of statins 😝

I had a painful knee early on but it's fine now

Have fun 😃💪👍🏃✔️

in reply to misswobble

Thank you misswobble ! Hearing something positive really helps doesn't it? I feel extremely lucky to have the GP that I do. He's been fantastic at helping me with my depression, explaining to me whilst I may not like being on anti-depressants, it's at least giving me enough help that I can actually deal with the underlying issues that have caused it.

You take care, don't be afraid to change GP if you need to. And glad your knee sorted itself out.

poppypug profile image
poppypugGraduate

This is great news Neil . Having a running doctor truly makes so much difference as they totally get it .

When I first started out , I used to have trouble with my left ankle. It would swell up and I had to ice it , but as I progressed I never have had any further trouble with it .

Yup, slow and steady will build strong runners legs . You got this :-) xxx

in reply to poppypug

Thanks poppypug , very glad your ankle sorted itself. I feel like I'm slowly getting there!

GingerBohemian profile image
GingerBohemianGraduate

Nice one matey. The Green Man and Bobbin Mill (injoke only because I know the route that Hidden normally runs)will still be graced with your svelte figure gliding by towards the podium.

Great news

in reply to GingerBohemian

Thanks GingerBohemian , talking of the Bobbin Mill, not sure when you were last in Buckshaw, but we have a couple of new family-type pubs just near Tescos, next to where I work. Would it be wrong for me to have a celebratory pint in your honour? :P I'm not a heavy drinker, but, you know...!

GingerBohemian profile image
GingerBohemianGraduate in reply to

You deserve it mate. After all you've been through you knee-d it ( :) )

in reply to GingerBohemian

Yes!!! The puns are catching!!!

GingerBohemian profile image
GingerBohemianGraduate in reply to

Be knee deep in them soon

in reply to GingerBohemian

You're pulling my leg...

HeadInTheClouds profile image
HeadInTheCloudsGraduate

Excellent news..!! ... and not self centred at all, it's very helpful to the rest of us who have slight concerns about our knees (as well as your knees) 😉😊

in reply to HeadInTheClouds

Thanks HeadInTheClouds , that's reassuring. I have concerns about many things, but at least I can tick knees of the list lol!

HeadInTheClouds profile image
HeadInTheCloudsGraduate in reply to

I try not to think about all the bits of me that are falling apart 😂

That's definitely a positive step in the right direction 😁

TJMazz profile image
TJMazzGraduate

Yay, you can keep running. Slow and steady of course. So pleased. Good luck with your next run Neil 😀🏃👏🏼

in reply to TJMazz

I know!!! I was worried I'd have to take a huge break or something, but it's all good. Thank you for your support. This slow and steady thing... makes me laugh, but it's so so true :)

TJMazz profile image
TJMazzGraduate in reply to

It’s the only way for me.😂😂😂 Definitely works 😀

Redbillie21 profile image
Redbillie21Graduate

Great news and a great post. I had bursitis of the hip when I first started running right up until I graduated but have had to go back a few times to (nearly) the beginning of the programme. But now, I am pain free and well on my way back up towards week 9! Yay! Keep going 👍👍👍

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