runners knee (maybe)

[Fiddleman 4,376]

Hi all - I believe to have caused myself runners knee or something like that. I have been running, jumping and sprinting quite a bit over that past year, always pushing my physical limits. In the last week, there have been numerous occasions when my right knee locks up and it is a bit painful for 1-2 seconds. If I stop, the pain immediately dissipates. Does this sound like runners knee? For the last 2 days I have been not exercising, taking it easy, elevating it. However, I still get these sudden lock ups where pain is localized just to the right and bottom of knee cap. Just from normal walking. Sound familiar? Is this sort of thing going to fix itself and any idea how long that might take (if you have experience with it). It has not improved yet even though I am sitting it out. I am very much an active guy (with dreams of doing america ninja warrior someday) and it is no fun to sit on the sidelines. Give me some good news and perhaps some advice. Thanks!

[latido 178]

My knee dislocates when I do stairs. I can literally feel the bones grinding. My yoga instructor showed me how to pop it back in. Stand up against the wall, press your lower back into the wall as you gently slide down to a mock sitting position. Hold. It will look like you are sitting on a chair. The key is to keep pressing your lower back into the wall. After a few seconds, slide back up. Repeat if necessary.

[2muchfun 8,927]

I've never heard the term runners knee? Cartilage can break loose and cause lockups. Or, you can have a floating kneecap that is causing the lockup? Other causes are torn or stretched ligaments allowing the joint to no longer align? Your ACL and PCL hold the femur and tibia heads to align but if you have damaged ligaments, the alignment can cause your problem. Also,

Only an MRI or scope can tell for sure? There are several other ligaments that hold this joint together and if any one of them is damaged you can bet there's going to be some misalignment? Swelling can also cause problems.

[deedadumble 1,033]

I have runners knee, but I don't think the knee locking up is a symptom. Sounds like torn cartilage to me, but you'll need an MRI to know for sure.

Runners knee, which is also called chondromalacia, causes pain behind or around the kneecap. It can also cause swelling and grinding/crackling. I have trouble when my running form is off, especially when I over stride. I have a genetic issue with my knees where the patella doesn't slide in the groove correctly and it causes the chondromalacia. It can cause excruciating pain when I sit for long periods of time. The only relief I've found is Orthovisc injections every year. I got my last series of shots (3 shots a week apart) in June and the knee is feeling pretty good right now. I've also done physical therapy for it off and on for a few years. The best exercises for it are those that help strengthen the muscles on the inside and outside of your thighs.

[lisacaron 5,075]

@@Fiddleman Great that you are an active guy! If you want to keep being active get yourself to the orthopedist and have them check out this knee problem for you. Delaying with something like that is only going to make matters worse. You don't want to cause damage if you don't already have some. They will be able to schedule any tests that you might need as well as give you some ideas of what exercise to do to strengthen and help your knee heal from what ever is paining it.

Let us know how it goes!

[Fluffnomore 1,235]

I had an issue like this before my WLS. I had all the tests and basically it looked like a piece of cartilage was floating around and getting "folded" in uncomfortable ways. It wasn't separate, though, so surgery wouldn't have helped it. I know that is as clear as mud.

They did offer a cortisone shot, and I decided to wait and see on that. Never ended up needing it. It resolved with some rest.

Edited July 9, 2014 by Fluffnomore

[Fiddleman 4,376]

Thanks all for the responses. I am going to get this taken care of prompto!

[LisaNLasVegas 91]

I also have runner's knee. It was diagnosed with an MRI. I have never had it pop out. Like someone else described, it is an ache or sharp pain around/under/behind the kneecap. For me, it hurts when I am going uphill or up stairs - no problems going downhill. Since I don't EVER run, I call mine "hiker's knee."

If you do get diagnosed with it, the little "straps" help a lot. They are velcro or elastic bands that go around the bottom of the patella and hold it in place. I guess it holds the patella steady?? Good luck!

[boccob81 244]

I have knee problems about a month out of surgery may 30 . If I sit it does not hurt but the min I get up and stand up the back side of the right knee does not feel like it wants stretch out and it is tight the right side of the knee is inflamed .. My lower back is killing me to .

I figure it has to do with weight loss not sure but stoped the cardio

[Fiddleman 4,376]

Its strange. I had a lot of trouble with this knee issue over last few days (quite painful at times), when just doing normal stuff. Then I did a new sprint run variation yesterday afternoon (10 segments of 3 min increments one after another (1 min 6.5 mph, 1 min 7.5 mph and 1 min 8.5 mph)) before moving onto a body weight strength workout (about an hour). My knee kind of whined a little on the first 3 min segment and then started feeling better as I did more segments. By the time I finished the running, knee felt strong as ever and no more lock ups or other knee annoyances when doing normal things non exercise related; in other words, just walking around. Weird huh? Do you think my knee was just slightly out of alignment and the running fixed it? Maybe loose cartilage moved so not rubbing. I hope it stays pain free! I really enjoy running (fast) and hope my knees last many more years.