Advice for sore knees

[Froukje]

Hi all,

I'm very new at running and only halfway through the second week. At the risk of repeating others, I was wondering if I could ask your advice on sore knees. Two runs back my knees started hurting a couple of hours after the actual run. I rested a day longer (three days) and the pain mostly disappeared. I tried again today, but I could hardly run as it really hurts.

It hurts on the interior of the leg, a bit lower than the center of the actual knee cap. If I look at a skeleton, I would say it is where the femur meets the tibia. I can't pinpoint whether it 'bone pain' or 'ligament pain'. It's got that 'funny bone' feeling (but with a sharp painful edge) about it when I walk or touch it; the area itself is not swollen or hot to touch. I wear new running shoes from Nike, with extra padding.

Has anybody experienced the same? I'm guessing this is not something you can run through?

Any help/advice is much appreciated, thanks.

- Froukje

[PennyN]

First see a doctor or sports med clinic if in your area. I had knee pain on my 1st and 2nd run. Then i read about Pose style and i now use minimalist shoes and mid foot strike and my knee pain left I was running with a heel strike. It may not work for everyone but it helped me. Good luck.

[Jealoussiren]

Seeing an MD is of course a good idea, I strongly reccomend it. If you bought running shoes off the shelf with out a gait analysis, it may actually be your shoes. Most running stores will have you get on a treadmill and run, so they can see how your gait is, and then help you choose footwear based on how you, specifically run. If you overpronate, for example, you will benefit from shoes that control for this, but if you don't and your shoes have this control, it will actually cause you pain. If you are overweight, minimalist shoes may not be a good choice, as it increases the pressure and pounding on your joints, and can cause strain in the bones of the feet. I love mine for beach activites, but I don't wear them for running. You can ice the knee for pain control, and take an anti inflammatory. I would NEVER run through pain, and I would definitely consult with your doctor before proceeding. Good luck! I hope they feel better soon.