Can runner’s knee cause redness/warmth over a joint?

[Louisamith]

I am a 21 year old female. I used to be anorexic and bad a pretty bad exercise addiction - running around 20km daily. Now running about 7 km a day and have lately been feeling like there is some sort of strange feeling in my knees, hard to describe, same creakiness as you would expect with the worn out door hinges?

I don't have any major pain in knees after running, just a constant dull ache thats worse with squatting and going up and down stirs - but if I place my hand on the knee cap and then bend my knee and straighten out , I can feel the vibrations like how a door hinge gives a vibration as we move the door.

I can feel something like a weird grinding/vibrating sensation "in" my knee (Not in the same way I imagine tendonitis to do) when I move my feet up and down after having them placed on the ground (especially noticeable when driving), or even sometimes lying down flat on my back rotating my leg while just having my heel on the ground. I also can push at my patella with my fingers and create the same creaking sensation.

Also I sometimes get some redness and inflammation around my knee in the afternoon? Please help! very scared this is osteoarthritis or chondromalacia. I ave had X-Rays and it does not show anything

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

Hi, it would be impossible for anyone here to diagnose what might be wrong with your knee. We’re not medical professionals, just recreational runners 🙂

It sounds as if you should get your symptoms checked out by a physio or doctor. That way you know what you're dealing with and can work on a treatment plan.

All the best of luck to you 🍀

[nowster Metric Marathon]

If you're worried, definitely seek medical help. A physio would be my suggestion rather than a GP (family doctor).

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Welcome to this forum! That sounds uncomfortable and is clearly bothering you. There are many relatively innocuous causes of knee issues - overuse injuries being incredibly common. Are you still running 7k a day? Maybe a running break might help - stick with gentle walking until you see an improvement, then gradually increase pace. But as others have said, a visit to a physio would most likely be your quickest route to healing and to peace of mind too 😊