View Full Version : Knee is getting weaker
Hey everyone so I am seeking some sort of medical advice before I go to the doctors. Alright so the problem is, I have this sharp pain below my knee cap. It started a couple weeks ago and the pain wod only be noticable if I stopped running, which I did not mind because it was more of a motivation. Wensday I had pt and it startedto hurt bad after our run, which I didn't mind. However yesterday I tried running and I could not run at all and now I can barely walk. I was previously told that it is due to not stretching and I don't think that is true because I stretched before pt and it still hurt. Anyways I've tried putting ice on it, icy hot, biofreeze and nothing seems to work. It is my left knee.
Any input is greatly appreciated
Zulu 36
03-05-12, 10:36 AM
Moved to Ask a Marine
How old are you?
Moved to Ask a Marine
How old are you?
Thanks for moving it. I am currently 16 and I am turning 17 soon here, I plan on enlisting so I have started running quite heavily.
Zulu 36
03-05-12, 11:47 AM
Thanks for moving it. I am currently 16 and I am turning 17 soon here, I plan on enlisting so I have started running quite heavily.
Based on your complaint, it sounds like Osgood-Schlatter disease. It could also be tendonitis. You are at the high age end to get OS, but it isn't out of the question.
I suggest you immediately stop running and doing any other high impact activities. Next, go see your doctor. If he is unsure, ask for a referral to a sports-medicine specialist. The sooner you do this, the sooner you get better.
Note: I am not a doctor, just a broken-down ex-paramedic.
IS it possible that the increased pain is from the cold? I wear shorts when I jog and when I had pt last week it was near 60 and now it's 25 with four inches of snow on the ground
Lisa 23
03-05-12, 01:20 PM
Young man, the only way you are going to find out what is actually wrong with your knee is to go and see your family doctor so he/she can send you for some tests. We are not doctors here, and guessing what could be wrong with your knee is not a good idea. Get it looked at ASAP!
Phantom Blooper
03-05-12, 08:42 PM
I didn't graduate from medical school...got thrown out for partying...so joined the Marines....but I believe that you should go see some of my former esteemed colleagues who specialize in orthopedic medicine.
If you become a Marine...regardless of MOS.....your knees....back....extemities and brain.....are ALL vital to get you through training and enlistment.
Thanks for the input. I talked with my recruiter and he said thatit because i have been running everyday. If you have eer seen my first thread here, i am over weight so i am busting butt to get to where i need to be. I am going to lay off running until pt and see if my knee gets
better. If not then i will talk with a doc.
Thanks for everyoes input
doc h fmf
03-05-12, 10:00 PM
okay that is one of the reasons your knees hurt is because your overweight. now do you have any swelling in the knees? anyway you should see a doctor so he can put you on a proper diet good luck.STEPHEN DOC HANSEN HM3 fmf
No swelling, just sharp pains.
YLDNDN6
03-06-12, 06:32 PM
It could also be a condition called (and I am definitely not spelling this correctly) Chondromalatia Patella. That is a condition where you wear down the cartlidge on the back of your kneecap. It is very painful when walking. When running, it presents as a dull burning sensation with each impact of foot to pavement. This is just a guess. I believe it is a disqualifying condition, as you need cartlidge behind your knee to be a Marine. I am not a doctor, but I am a rocket scientist/brain surgeon. Bottom line.........go see your doctor and have the full battery of tests run to make sure you don't have something seriously wrong with you.
It could also be a condition called (and I am definitely not spelling this correctly) Chondromalatia Patella. That is a condition where you wear down the cartlidge on the back of your kneecap. It is very painful when walking. When running, it presents as a dull burning sensation with each impact of foot to pavement. This is just a guess. I believe it is a disqualifying condition, as you need cartlidge behind your knee to be a Marine. I am not a doctor, but I am a rocket scientist/brain surgeon. Bottom line.........go see your doctor and have the full battery of tests run to make sure you don't have something seriously wrong with you.
Thanks! I talked to my recruiter told me to lay off running for a day and i just ran today and I have been resting since SUnday. I am back to normal. As my recruiter said, I am not a built runner and my running 3 miles a day lugging 240 pounds around was definitely a shock to my knee. Also I am somewhat flat footed and I bought new shoes and those seem to help!
Thanks for everyones input, PT tomorrow, I am confident I will be fine.
MOS4429
03-08-12, 05:07 PM
Jhsrz, like the others, I am not a doctor but do coach cross-country and distance runners in track. You have described a few things that I have seen before.
1 You do not have a lot of experience running, and you are running nearly every day for 3 miles.
2 You are overweight.
Now you have pain below the knee cap. The main culprit is overuse. Frequently runners in this situation develop petella or petellar tendinitis. It is like it sounds, an inflammation of the tendon below the knee cap. There are several things you can do for this.
Rest is most important. Take a few days off.
Ice is next. Ice for 20 minutes several times a day.
Compression. There are available bands called Petellar Knee Bands. They are small straps that usually have a gel substance in them. The gel substance you place right below the knee cap, and it fastens in the back with a velcro strap.
Lastly, is elevation. When you go to bed, put a pillow or two under your leg and elevate your knee.
This standard formula is called RICE. Remember it, because it works for many of those aches and pains runners get.
When you return to running, if you have not already, since you are 16 and not in DEP, back off. I have recommended to many poolees a more conservative approach when they are starting out that involves running and walking and progressively builds up. If you are interested in one of those plans, PM me and I'll send it to you.
Ibuprofen can help with inflammation, but do not take anything without talking to your parents first.
For more information on pain in the area of the knee cap, go to http://www.livestrong.com/article/121558-causes-knee-pain-front-knee/
Next thing to do is lose weight. 240 pounds is a lot of weight. There have been numerous studies conducted on the impact force to the knee joint while running. Generally speaking, when you run, the impact to your knee joint is 3 times your body weight. Do the math. That is 720 pounds of impact force to each knee every single time you take a step. AND...if you are a heel to toe runner, bad news. The impact to your knee can be up to 7 times your body weight. That is...well, just say ouch!
Being flat footed is not as big a deal as people make it. New shoes can help, but believe it or not, the more the shoe supports and cushions your foot, the greater the likelihood is you will be injured. I know that sounds illogical, but the latest research has proven it, and get this: Prior to 1972, runners were not injured nearly as much as they are today. What took place in '72? The invention of the running shoe by Bowerman, and the whole running shoe craze was picked up by Nike and took off from there. Prior to that runners wore fairly flat shoes with not a whole lot of support.
Today shoe companies, Nike included, have created a line of pretty flat, neutral shoes, and...the five "finger" shoe that is "just like running barefooted." Kenyans don't have injuries like we do because they DO run barefoot from childhood.
Anyway...that's my two cents worth on the subj.
Thanks MOS for your very informative post. I went to PT yesterday and had no problem with my knee during the run. I am definitely improving because I didn't come in last :p
Anyways my knee is fine today and I dont feel any pain. I will also look into those Petellar Knee bands
Phantom Blooper
03-08-12, 05:59 PM
Remember when you get to a weight to DEP and finally go to a MCRD....the new running shoes and the suggested knee bands will not be allowed in boot camp.
I would also consider looking on the web for knee strengthening exercises and do them for both knees.....
Are you doing a diet and other exercises on your own to get to your needed weight?
Good luck!
Are you doing a diet and other exercises on your own to get to your needed weight?
Good luck!
Yes sir I am dieting alot. I have cut all pop out, fast food gone, and bread(rice, pastas etc). I have stopped eating past 7 PM and I am starting a personal PT with one of the recruiters who is an instructor for a cross training class. Also obviously, I have started regularly attending Poolee PT.
As for the not having the band at camp, I believe that once I get down to where I need to be, my knee will be strong enough from the combined weight loss and acclimation to running and cardio regularly. Also I do more than running I do some biking at the gym and elliptical. I previously did ALOT of weight lifting but now i must quit because it could gain more weight on me, even if it is muscle.
MOS4429
03-09-12, 12:01 PM
It sounds like you are on the right track, but Phantom Blooper is correct, you should do some knee strengthening exercises. Just search it and you will find some beneficial ones.
The part about quitting weightlifting because you will gain weight is somewhat a myth. Yes, muscle weighs more than fat, but you want lean muscle mass. You do not have to powerlift and bulk up, but a good weightlifting program for strength at 70 to 80% of your max will benefit you and help you keep the weight off.
Interestingly, in swimming and running, many programs are moving away from the several sets of low weight at high rep routines and going with heavier weight, low reps for one set. I have all of my runners weightlift in order to build core strength.
usmc5831
03-12-12, 12:35 PM
I vote for petellar tendinitis... I've had it for years. Try chopat knee straps. It was the only thing that has worked for me and I've tried everything. I use the double knee strap and it works like a charm!!