Joint Pain

Rod · 09-05-2005, 07:15 PM

What supplements are folks using for knee & hip joint pain? I'm running in my first marathon in October and ran 20 miles today and experienced knee and hip joint pain for the first time. The past two Saturdays I've run 15 miles without any pain. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I check back later, it's time to lift with my wife. Thanks, Rod

ODB · 09-05-2005, 07:53 PM

Welcome Rod - Try BioFreeze. If that doesn't work talk to your doctor.

Glide · 09-06-2005, 03:09 PM

I am by no means a doctor - I am a computer guy - so take this advice as that, but here is what always works for me when I push it too far and have knee pains.
I go on a regimen of ibuprofen 400mg twice a day for 5 days. I also ice right after my run - then at night, watching tv, I will switch ice/heating pad - switching every 10 minutes for 40 minutes.

On some other triathlon sites I read they talk about glucosamine/chondrointin suppliments. I actually did that for a while - and it might have helped, but they ran out and I didn't get another bottle. Maybe they helped. It is supposed to help you build back your cartilidge in your joints. (I think)

Ibuprofen can be bad if taken for a long time - so limit it to 5 days. The hot/cold really works for me.

Increasing your mileage is going to hurt - but I agree with ODB - if the pain persists, talk to your doctor.

Rod · 09-06-2005, 08:40 PM

Thanks for the suggestions. My wife has some glucosamine/chondrointin suppliment so I took that last night and this morning. Hip pain is gone and I have a slight pain in my knee/leg. I took today off even though my training scheduled called for a short 3 mile run. I plan on running 3 miles tomorrow morning depending on how I feel. I will get some BioFreeze for my additional long runs and use them on my joints and muscles. Thanks, Rod

BamaDave · 09-07-2005, 12:20 PM

I don't think glucosamine/chondroitin is an overnight pain reliever -- it's meant to be used more long term to prevent cartilage breakdown and deterioration of joints.

Some knee and/or hip soreness sounds normal after a 20-mile run. I wouldn't worry too much about it or take anything unless the pain is really irritating or debilitating.

Some knee irritation can be reduced (even dramatically) by stretching your quads well before and after your runs.