Knee problems

So, when I attempted running in the past without any plan or strategy I ended up causing some long-term knee pain/soreness, which stopped me from running completely and made my knees tender, to the point of kneeling on them was a no no. I never saw a doctor to get it treated but it seemed to go away after possibly 6 months or so. I didn't run again until recently.

I've had no knee issues throughout the C25k until I ran w5d3. Since then I feel like I'm getting the beginnings of the same knee problem as before, and its worrying me. It's not painful yet, but there are underlying feelings that suggest they are not right. I have been using knee supports and they have helped but I guess I'm worried that the knee pain is a more serious issue, may need surgery and it may stop my jogging.

Has anyone else had anything similar? What happened/did it go away? I suppose the answer is I go see a doctor.

edit - it was pain below the kneecap, which looks like runners knee.

[2718281 Graduate]

Hi Blitzkrieg, it's really difficult to advise as it could be anything, the best thing is to consult with your GP.

Regarding your worries, I did get a knee injury years ago, a chiropractor gave me a table of exercises to strengthen some specific muscles around my knee that made the problem go away, so it might not necessarily mean that you will need surgery... However, I must also say that during that period, a different GP gave another table of exercises that was not good at all (should have known as his diagnostic didn't make sense, there was no google those days...) and I ended up in much more pain than I was before (i.e. be careful following advice from someone that is not expert, it can cause more damage than good)

[JaniceG68 Graduate]

Hi there when I was on week 2, I had knee pain just on my left knee every time I finished a run. Was fine during the runs except for a few twinges as I set off . It got quite bad in week 4 that I wore a compression bandage when I ran which helped. It was still sore afterwards though to the extent that I limped up the stairs when I got home. By the middle of week 5 the pain had totally gone. I think with me, I was running tensed up as I was very self-conscious at the beginning but everything seemed to settle once I got into a more relaxed pace on the longer runs. I would still say see your GP as your situation seems a little different. Best to get it checked out.

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Thanks for the replies and advice. I will speak to my GP, I think it's best.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

As mentioned in the guide to the plan healthunlocked.com/couchto5... most new runner's aches and pains are caused primarily by the impact of running, so follow the advice in the guide to minimise it.

Stretching straight after every run and knee strengthening exercises, links in guide, will also help.