Has anyone got any advice on what to do with sore knees. I had to stop shuffling at the end of August because my tight knee was painful. I'm desperate to get back out again, I feel like a slug and at 66 I'm worried I'll never run again. I've seen a physio, who said it's probably arthritis, gave me a walking stick 🤦and exercises. Didn't use the walking stick, did do the exercises. Still painful. Saw a soft tissue therapist, who said it's not arthritis. Just because of my age that's what the health professionals expect it to be and just write people off. He said he was sure he could get me back to running again. He manipulated my thigh, which hurt like hell, but weirdly was quite pleasant. He then strapped up my leg with the fancy tape that top athletes have. He sent me off with lots of exercises. It felt great for a few days but then the pain at night started again, which wakes me up. It's not painful during the day. I can't kneel though, which is a worry. I've tried a little jog, not a good idea. Sorry to ramble on but I was wondering if anyone knows how to get a definitive diagnosis, when two different people are telling me different things. I'm really fed up, as I've never been into physical exercise before, apart from practicing yoga for the past 20 odd years. When I found C25k, I felt all my Christmases had come at once. It was a revelation and I loved it. I was just getting slightly faster and going a little bit further when bam, knee pain! 😫 Thank you for reading my post
Sore knees: Has anyone got any advice on what to... - Couch to 5K
Sore knees
Knee pain is common for runners and can be minimised by doing all you can to minimise impact. Slow down, avoid heelstriking, keep footfall under your body, not out in front, run on softer surfaces such as grass or treadmill and wear proper running shoes, fitted after a gait analysis done at a specialist running shop.
Knee strengthening exercises, such as those linked to in the guide to the plan, can improve supportive musculature which can make a huge difference and is recommended for all runners, but if you have physical damage it may not overcome that.
I was told by a physio that if I were not already a runner that she would not have recommended me to run, because of wear to my left knee. After many months of exercises I managed to rebuild strength enough to be able to run again........it was a slow process.
When you ask for an opinion, whether from medical professionals or a random bunch of folk on the internet, all you are likely to get is opinions. Which advice you follow is up to you.
You definitely need a third opinion!
I’d go to my GP, be prepared to assert myself and insist on a scan and a consultant referral, tell them you’re physically active and a serious runner - I see you could do 5k in around 30 mins and yoga for 20 years! - and take it from there.
There’s a long list of causes of knee pain, some transient, others chronic. You’re entitled to know which one you have, I think. Be strong, good luck!
🙂
Thank you. I do sometimes feel we become invisible at a certain age. I'll see my GP, if possible and ask for an MRI. I might need to throw myself on the floor and have a tantrum but hey ho
Take that redundant walking stick they gave you and wave it about.
😁
Hmmm. Likely arthritis, but a scan will confirm that or not. Arthritis is not a sentence to no running it seems.I was diagnosed with knee arthritis at 57 and advised to use a stick because it was a real flare up. I used the stick rather than hobbling around. I could walk tall with the stick. No shame or giving into it, it was just a tool to help me over a bad patch.
Lots of strengthening exercises and recovery time allowed me to start cto5k just before I turned 60.
Yes, my knees still niggle but it seems that running has taken me to a place where my legs are strong, which supports my knees.
The reason I am sharing this with you is to hopefully be encouraging. Obviously everyone is different, but it takes time to build strength and overcome this. Hopefully if you carry on with the exercise you will be able to run.
I'm really hoping this isn't the end of my short running career. I love it so much. Thank you
I really do think there is every chance you will run again. The trouble is that health professionals, when presented with an older person with knee issues, could automatically recommend that running is a bad idea.I've read a lot of articles about research which suggests that running itself is not bad for knees. I would get a diagnosis and make it clear you want to run. You may find a physio who supports you. For me, I found exercises and just did them religiously and they really helped, but it did take time. Best of luck!
Does arthritic pain come and go? I really have no idea. I just want it gone. I'm doing all the exercises prescribed to me. It's painful during night, which isn't fun, not much during the day 🤷
Well mine came and went, but there was also swelling and certain movements were painful. I put a pillow between my knees at night which helped. I'd get it checked out to see what's going on.
Thanks Roxdog. It would be lovely to be pain free again. I'm definitely going to ask for a scan. If it's not arthritis then what is it and how to treat it!
Hi there. If the knee pain does turn out to be osteoarthritis, it does come and go. A few years ago I had six sessions of acupuncture and it was the best thing ever. It’s still painful sometimes and I still can’t kneel but I no longer use my stick or find myself crying in pain on the short walk from the bus stop to my house at the end of the day. Take care.
Thank you. Oddly my knee isn't painful to walk during the day. It aches at night
Be aware that gluten intolerance can cause joint ache. Diagnosing that in me helped me get back to running.
Oh my goodness. Not heard of that before. I don't think I'm intolerant but it's a thought. Thank you
Hi, I'm 66 and have had knee problems. A MRI scan showed wearing of the cartilage under the kneecap. The solution for me was exercises to strengthen muscles eg squats and lunges. I also see a sports massage chap who has helped to guide me. The best cross training exercise and also warm up before a run which works for me is to cycle. If I cycle for 10 - 20 minutes before a run my knees behave!
Thank Motowngal. I'm doing a load of exercises from my soft tissue therapist. I'm going try and get my GP to refer me for an MRI not sure how easy that'll be and I'll see my therapy guy again. The strapping helped with the night pain and a pillow between my knees helps as well
I have arthritis in one knee. About week 4 or 5 of c25k imy leg muscles were really painful. I couldn't get a GP appointment so spoke to my sister, a very experienced nurse. She suggested ibuprofen before bed. I tried it, to my amazement the pain just went.
OBVIOUSLY I'm not medically qualified and my issues and yours are different. I'd been afraid to treat the pain for fear of causing further injury but since then I've barely had a twinge. It's really important to get a proper diagnosis but in the meantime painkillers may be a short term help, especially if you're in pain at night.
Also, as has been said above, run on grass, get a gait analysis and proper shoes, do your dynamic stretches before and static stretches after a run and don't push yourself too hard.
Good luck 🤞
Thank you for the advice. I'll try ibuprofen again. It didn't touch the sides when the pain first started. Maybe now it's only at night it might work.
Hi there,I have arthritis in both wrists and I was given a definitive diagnosis following x-rays and mri scans. Before then it was mis-diagnosed as d'quervains, carpal tunnel and rsi. As far as I know, scans are the only way to correctly assess the inflammation in the joints is by scans. Id'd go back to the GP and ask for a referral, but I'm not sure what the waiting list would be like.
Good luck. I hope it's sorted out for you soon.
I'm going to try and persuade my GP to refer me for a scan. They're not very forth coming when it's an expensive procedure
Ok many times knee pain will come with a tight quad. It actually can be resolved by holding on to something and grabbing your ankle and bring to your button. Do it slowly and hold it. You should feel tightness on the front of your leg...see if that helps...blue skies
Thank you pilot52. That exercise is part of regime I'm doing every other day, so hopefully it's doing me some good.🤞
butt
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