Knee pain

NeilC · 08-05-2008, 11:04 AM

1. When did the pain begin?

On and off for many months.

2. What were you doing at the time? Or did the pain come on gradually over time?

Gradually.

3. Where, anatomically, is the pain?

My knee. On the beneath the knee-cap towards the outside of the knee. So looking at my fully extended left leg from the front it would be about 5 o'clock if the clock hands were centred in the middle of the kneecap

4. What does the pain feel like? Sharp? Dull? Aching? Stabbing? Shooting?

Mostly dull but gets shaper when irritated

5. Is the pain constant, or intermittent, or only on certain motions?

Slightly present all the time, worse on motions.

6. What motions make your pain worse?

Squatting, running, cycling.

7. What, if anything, makes your pain better?

Not exercising. I also get the urge "crack it the joint" by straightening my leg whilst bearing weight on it (foot fixed to the floor) and to turning my body to the right. Often something in my hip clicks a bit too. It's not painful in fact it alleviates the pain for a short while.

8. Does your pain radiate to any other part of your body?

No but before the urge to click it my calf feels quite tight.

9. What things could you do before, that you cannot do now because of your injury?

Squatting moves.

10. What is your main concern regarding the pain and its consequences?

Cannot exercise.

11. Have you ever injured that part of your body before? If so, how?

No

12. Is your pain getting worse over time? And if so, how much worse over what time period?

Not really. Depends on how much usage it gets.

UConnJulie · 08-05-2008, 01:37 PM

How's your calf and quad flexibility?

NeilC · 08-05-2008, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UConnJulie

How's your calf and quad flexibility?

I'm not sure to be honest. My hams are terribly tight and always have been - I've tried stretching them for ages with no effect. I'm not flexible in general so I'm guessing quads and ankles are not good but what would be the best tests so I can tell?

UConnJulie · 08-06-2008, 10:17 AM

Can you bring your heel to your butt (using your hand) while keeping your knees together?

How big of a stride can you take while keeping the back heel firmly planted on the ground?

I'd guess you are tight.
Flexibility needs to be a big priority in your training IMO ...

NeilC · 08-06-2008, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UConnJulie

Can you bring your heel to your butt (using your hand) while keeping your knees together?

Yes very easily.

Quote:

Originally Posted by UConnJulie

How big of a stride can you take while keeping the back heel firmly planted on the ground?

Just over 1 metre.

UConnJulie · 08-06-2008, 04:10 PM

How's your gluteal activation?

Care to post a video of the squatting and other painful movements?

ts.vassilev · 08-07-2008, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NeilC

Yes very easily.

Are you sure that you kept your knees together? Moving the knee back makes a whole lotta difference.

NeilC · 08-11-2008, 09:38 AM

Yes it's no problem with the knees together.

I'll try to get a video of me moving.

To be honest it's not just during athletic moves. Any kind of use of the knee will make it ache like that a day after.

ts.vassilev · 08-11-2008, 01:49 PM

Based on a hunch, I would bet $5 that foam rolling the quads(VL mostly) and lacrosse balling the glute medius and TFL would lead to some pain relief.

Julie would you care to bet against me?

UConnJulie · 08-11-2008, 02:56 PM

Not much of a betting gal ...

Looking forward to the video ...

optimum performance · 08-13-2008, 01:51 AM

Try patella mobilization - start gentle working up the intensity.

Catherine · 08-20-2008, 01:02 PM

How is patella mobilization done?

I have had knee problems since march... but they are slowly getting better. I am icing religiously after workouts. My problem is tendonitis of the quad tendon so stretching and foam roalling seem to help, but it is hard to get to the IT band - it just hurts to roll on it.

UConnJulie · 08-20-2008, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Catherine

How is patella mobilization done?

I have had knee problems since march... but they are slowly getting better. I am icing religiously after workouts. My problem is tendonitis of the quad tendon so stretching and foam roalling seem to help, but it is hard to get to the IT band - it just hurts to roll on it.

Yup. Keep doing it to your tolerance ... it will get better. Try a lacrosse or tennis ball and instead of lying on the floor, use it up against a wall ... less pressure sometimes increases tolerance while still giving benefit.

Catherine · 08-21-2008, 04:00 AM

Great idea... I hadn't thought of that!! I'll give it a try!!

Thanks Julie!!