knee pain

[Kekapepawepa]

Hello all,

I completed couch to 5k in December, and been running 3 times a week since. Have done a couple 10ks since and even a 12k run. Was really enjoying it tbh.

In the last two weeks however, whenever I run more than 2 miles I get pain and discomfort down the left hand side of my left knee.

Who do I need to see to get help with that? It’s not serious enough to go waste a GPs time, but I would like to get it looked at as I was enjoying running and wanted to continue increasing my distance.

Thanks in advance!

[Annieapple Administrator Graduate]

🍏well done on all you have achieved since completing the plan. Knee pain is never to be ignored. Please do see your GP and or a sports physio for advice. Please do not run with pain. Knees form a crucial part of our running. The medical profession recognises that! Do let us know how you get on!

[Kekapepawepa in reply to Annieapple]

Thank you, will do!

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate]

Look up IT band syndrome and see if that resonates at all (I’m assuming the left hand side of your knee is the outside!). It sounds very similar to what I had-that was fixed by seeing a physio who specialised in sports and worked with lots of runners. He gave me targeted exercises and stretches to help. Ive never done so many squats and deadlifts in all my life! It took a while but it did get better. They’re magic people. Just watch out if they give you a massage!

We’d always advise anyone in pain to seek real life, expert advice. I hope you can get it sorted!

[Kekapepawepa in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Hi, yes I have looked up IT band syndrome and it does sound like the issue I am having! So thank you. I shall research some physios in my area to speak to. Thanks

[John_W Graduate Ambassador]

You either:

- go and see your GP and get a referral to a sports physio, OR

- pay privately to see a sports physio, thereby by-passing your GP

I wonder if you have increased your run distances a little too quickly ... 'too much, too soon' is almost always the cause of these niggles for beginners.

[Kekapepawepa in reply to John_W]

Thank you, I think I’ll try and find a private one in my area and bypass the GP as they are always so busy.

I think you are right, I probably was trying to do too much too soon!

[John_W Graduate Ambassador in reply to Kekapepawepa]

For now, I would simply rest a bit, then start up again and then build very very gradually.

[Beachcomber66 Graduate]

My sports physio explained things very well when I first went to see her with knee pain; the site of the pain isn’t necessarily where the problem lies. So whilst I did get some exercises which focussed on my knee, I also got hip strengthening exercises too. More recently, I had achilles pain, but the physio started with my glute, then hamstrings and then a muscle which lies across the back of the knee. The Achilles pain was a result of issues further up my leg, and that is where the work was needed. I found my physio by checking where our local running shop owner and ultra runner went with her injuries. Hope you get this sorted out quickly.

[Kekapepawepa in reply to Beachcomber66]

Thank you very much. I have made contact with a couple local physios so hopefully they can help. Was really enjoying being more active after years of neglecting myself so want to get it sorted asap!

[Beachcomber66 Graduate]

👍 Hope it goes well.