Knee problems
By wmaharper
@wmaharper (2316)
United States
April 10, 2007 10:34am CST
I used to be an avid runner. I started running, consistently at about 5th grade, I ran track from 6th-12th grade, and I ran cross country from 9th to 12th grade. During the summer, you could find me running the four miles around our block almost every day. I loved it and enjoyed it immensly. Ever since my senior year in high school, I have been having major knee problems. Being the procrastinator that I am, I have never gotten it checked out. I have a lot of pain in my knees when I exersize. Now I haven't run consistently since Highschool, I'm only 24 years od though, I feel I am way too young to be having joint problems. When I was a child, I did a lot of physical labor, about 9-10 hours a day, of heavy lifting as we were very poor and my father had a wood cutting business, so we were the help. Before and after shcool we would work, lifting pieces of wood that weighed too much for us to carry, straining our backs and joints. Now, all of us kids have some problems here and there. (My brother's rib keeps popping out of place, and my bones don't align like they ought to either) but my question is, which do you think it's from? My intial thought is maybe both, but I'm not sure. My son, at the ripe age of 2 1/2 has shown a talent for running. He outruns most children twice his age in speed and endurance. We will take him to the park, and he just runs the whole time, and we are usually there for a half an hour at least, and he'll just run around the perimeter the whole time, it's enjoyable for him, he LOVES to run. I would love for him to follow in my footsteps (no pun intended) as I did my mothers, but I would hate for him to have lasting problems from it, but If he loves it, I want him to enjoy it. I don't regret my running in sports, and once my children are older, I plan on taking it up again. (if I can bear the pain in my knee). Are there any runners out there who have had similar problems?
3 responses
@ringo99runner (5)
• United States
16 Apr 07
Although I don't believe that shoes are your problem, wearing proper footwear could show you a noticeable change, however you might be doing this already. I would suggest wearing a running shoe with extra cushioning like the Asics Gel Nimbus or the Nike Pegasus. Changing shoes may not fix the problem, but they could help, I would recommend getting new shoes every 300-500 miles. Also another thing that can help reduce your pain would be to run on softer surfaces such as grass or trails. The softer surface will reduce the amount of stress placed on your knee since these types of surfaces absorb your body weight's shock better than pavement and thus your knee doesn't have to catch all of your weight. Hopefully some of these things will see your knees feeling better.
@wmaharper (2316)
• United States
17 Apr 07
Yes, thanks for the great advice. I don't actually run much anymore, as I have two small children, and it's often difficult to find time. BUt I have noticed when I run on the grass, it is much easier on my knees, though they have been bothering me with the little aerobic excersize i do a day, and when I use my stationary bike as well. Thanks for the response!
@GardenGerty (160696)
• United States
11 Apr 07
I am not a runner, I am a person with knee problems and some arthritis. My guess would be that it was the heavy lifting when you were too young that is the culprit.If you had good coaching and trained properly and wore good shoes, the running itself should not have caused injury. I would just encourage your son to have fun while he is so little and when he is old enough, of course get him proper sports physicals, and maybe even consult a doctor that specializes in sports medicine. You need to have your knees checked out now, and get some good advice. Women, because of their build are more prone to knee damage than men.
1 person likes this
@wmaharper (2316)
• United States
11 Apr 07
Yes, I agree, I definently need to get them checked, it's just never been high on my priority list. But, it is beginning to hurt more often. The other day I went for a walk, and when I returned home, I was in a lot of pain. I don't like that at all. As far as my running, I didn't really have the proper gear, my shoes, if I recall, were hand-me-downs, and they were not running shoes, but I tend to agree, that it is more likely the early abuse I made my body endure. Thanks for your response.
@astromama (1221)
• United States
16 Apr 07
You know, I've read a lot about the benefits of pineapple on joints, so you might want to look into that. Also, I believe grapefruit is shown to have some effect on arthritis, so that may be good as well. I'm very into using food as medicine and it's worth checking out to see if you notice any improvement. I never was a runner, I'm top-heavy! I LOVE hiking and climbing, though. I find I work up quite a sweat hiking uphill, plus you get all those heart-healthy benefits of cardio but not the stress on your joints from constantly pounding the pavement. I don't know if you'd switch activities, but I find hiking has a lot of the same perks... namely being outside in nature!
