I think I sprained my left knee…at least, that’s what I think has happened to me. I have been trying to run and get back into it after a 4 year hiatus and I’ve been taking it slow. A few weeks ago, my left knee started hurting when I was running hills. I took a week off and it seemed to heal itself.
Today, I hopped on a treadmill and mid stride felt a sharp pain and immediately stopped.
It’s just a little puffy and really achy. I have full range of motion, but it feels really shakey.
Adonis keeps telling me to go to the doctor, but due to the wonderful webMD that I trust so much, it says that I likely have a mild sprain and I just need to rest it for 2-6 weeks (!) before I resume activity.
What does that mean? Can I do mild workouts still or do I need to just be resting it the whole time? I can’t sit still and I was just starting to really get into running again.
Anyone have advice?
Hello to Sudy, with great respect.
Before getting into more acidic topics, I just want to say that the first doctor that I went to the first time I had one of those lovely sharp pains on the side of MY knee told me it was probably a sprain.
Following the MRI, they found out I had ripped the meniscus.
Women have a sharper Q angle. Do yourself a favor; get it checked out.
Hi Joyce!
Thanks for the tips! I started low impact stuff today (frequent short power walks, hatha yoga and low impact aerobics) and I’m trying to take it easy, but it’s frustrating because spring runs are great!
Thanks again,
-S
If it’s not painful, biking or other no to very low impact cross-training (swimming) are good too. As long as they cause no pain, cross-training activities are good as they keep up fitness, and there is evidence that some movement can help with healing. Like others said ice and ibuprofen are really great. While warmth may feel better, cold is important as it reduces the inflammatory response.
I usually just lurk, I’m mainly here to listen and absorb your beautiful writing and wisdom, but I figured I have enough background about this discussion to actually post!
For more info about running injuries and training, I like http://www.runnersworld.com
I don’t work for them or anything though!
I guess a few hours of couch and TV does a body good. After watching TNT movies all day, sleeping and eating fresh salsa all day, my knee is doing much much better.
There’s a still a sharp pain at certain points, but I’ve gently massaged it, stretched it, and walked gingerly instead of running.
It’s getting better and I think I must accept that I will not be running as much this Spring if I want to make a full recovery. Grrrr…
Thanks to all for all your sound advice – very helpful!
XO
I hope you feel better soon!
webMD is both wonderful and evil. gooooooo to the doctor!!!!
Hugo beat me to it…RICE. A good knee brace is a good thing. I’ve never blown a knee, but I had that sprain-y feeling from too much climbing my stairs carrying my sleeping daughter. No more—I make her get up and walk! (she’s eight)
I wouldn’t do any running on it for a few days, and keep hills and stairs to a minimum, but walking and (slow!) stretching are good exercises that probably won’t do you any harm.
If you don’t feel better in a day or so though, listen to Adonis and go see a doctor.
RICE. That’s the acronym for “rest, ice, compression, elevation” that has saved my knees through my thirties and into my forties. The rest doesn’t have to be total, just partial — cut the workouts down, take some time off, ice assiduously. (Bags of frozen veggies are particularly good on knees.)
Some folks I know change it slightly: rest, Ibuprofen, compression, elevation.
The knee-strap idea is a very good one; most fitness stores do sell them. The key is learning to place it correctly.
You could try using some support “bandage”. I frequently have problem with my knees, and I find that they help a great deal.
The one I use looks like this: http://www.apoteket.se/apoteket/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=5001&ProductSKU=204141&prodinfotype=&showBuy=true&action=showProdInfo
Sorry that the text is in Swedish, but that’s where I buy them… Basically it’s a really supportive bandage with a stiff “rail” on each side.
Probably someone at a drug store or sports store could help you find one that works well for you.
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