Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
My knee really hurts
I tried to run outside yesterday and that wasn't happening - the second my foot hit the pavement the pain in my knee was so excruciating I let out a loud cry (which frightened the old man walking behind me. Sorry, neighbor!)
I know I have to rest. I was just so looking forward to having the next week off from work and going to the gym, lifting, running, etc.
I think I also have to call a doctor, because the pain is continuing. (I've iced, am wearing a compression brace, trying to elevate as much as possible and will do so all day, all while trying to teach, ha.)
What do I ask/tell the orthopedist? I've never gone to one before. My mother (who is inactive) has and his first reaction was to tell her she needed immediate surgery. I'd like to try to fix this with PT, the right exercises, etc. Is that possible?
GP buddy to blenderdance
Re: My knee really hurts
I'm new here so I don't know your past history with the knee pain but I would agree with you that you need to go see someone. It can't hurt to see what they say. Treatment is going to depend on what is wrong with the knee. Some conditions may be resolved with PT and others may not. I don't think you should let what happened to your mom scare you away though. Taking good care of your body is key.
Perhaps if you see him before next week he can give you some excercises that you'll be able to do while recovering? Swimming? Walking? low impact type stuff??
Did you injure it or is it an overuse thing?
Go see the Doc and they will determine what is wrong. Being young, surgery isn't likely to be the first step unless something is torn. PT is a good option.
Good luck to you!
I didn't fall or anything. It started hurting after a bootcamp class where we did repetitive run up a steep hill for time. I think it's just overuse (but honestly, I have no idea, since this is the first time I've had a problem with it.) I dropped my running after that to only twice a week but continued with spin and the elliptical and lifting (all of which don't bother it.)
GP buddy to blenderdance
did it hurt immediately?
I had some soreness right away, which then went away and now only comes back when I attempt to run.
GP buddy to blenderdance
You may have irritated the cartilage. Good luck! I hope you get it calmed down, but rest may be all that helps!
I kind of figured that's what I did. Is there anything I can do to help it calm down (aside from rest?)
Thanks for the advice and well wishes!
GP buddy to blenderdance
it sounds like an overuse injury. i wouldnt even bother with a doctor - that only thing he can tell you is to rest. ultimately, that is the only cure for an overuse injury. now, if you rest and the pain doesnt go away, that is when you see a dr (for xrays).
there are things you can do to speed up the recovery process while resting: active release therapy (my main suggestion), massage, tons of stretching, icing, ib profin, glutamine powder, etc.
The thing with the knee is that it tends to be where you feel pain when you have calf and hip tightness. everything connects at the knee so even though you feel pain at the knee, it may be stemming from elsewhere. so when you stretch, make sure you focus on your hips, calves and definitely IT band.
if its just tendonitis, active release therapy will get rid of it pretty fast.
it sounds though, since it hurts on a first step, that its inflammed pretty badly. i would not run or do ANY lower body activities for a week. it will suck, but if you want to heal, then its worth taking a week off.
This is what I did not want to hear. I was planning to not run for a week, but was hoping at least be able to use the elliptical/spin bike. Boo.
Can you explain what active release therapy is? I know I need to do more stretching. I have been icing, using a compression sleeve/brace, taking ibuprofen, and elevating as much as possible. It's definitely not helping that I am a traveling teacher and I am constantly walking up and down 3 flights of stairs all day. I'm looking forward to spring break.
GP buddy to blenderdance
here is the thing: do you really want to prolong an injury to use an elliptical?? its just not worth it. eventually, injuries get so bad that you dont have a choice - you become sidelined. so, its 7 days now or possibly 7 weeks later, you know what i mean? it wont magically go away. the less you do, and the sooner you do it, the quicker you will heal.
i know it sucks, believe me...i have injured everything from my toe to my butt. i havent had a serious injury though since 2007 and that is because i FINALLY figured out that when it hurts, i need to stop for a week.
active release therapy is a combination of stretching and massage. you lay on a massage table and do a lot of repetitive movements (ie, knee to chest, leg up and down, etc). I usually break a slight sweat, its pretty intense but only lasts for 10 minutes. while you are engaging the muscle, the therapist is digging into it. so if you have tendonitis, it completely breaks it up.
something else that works well is stretching a steam room. its sorta like doing hot yoga...you will really loosen up.
do you have a bike? i think in general cycling is okay for the knees (maybe not right away, but after a few days of rest when the inflammation goes down). but i am not sure about spin bikes because its not a natural cycling position.
ART is usually done by a chiropractor.
I'd still see your doctor and get some PT sessions.
Southeastern Cycling
My Nest Bio and Cycling Advice
Gotcha. I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow at 10:15am (it was the earliest anyone could see me.) I was going to ask about PT (especially since I'm off from work next week with a wide open schedule and could get in at least 1 session.)
I do have a chiropractor that I see regularly and was thinking of going to him tomorrow for an adjustment to see if that might help (his office is closed on Thursdays.)
Sadle - what's your advice on the spin bike? Yay or nay for this week?
GP buddy to blenderdance
I'd say nay for the spin bike this week. If your fit is off, it can make knee pain worse. Spin bikes don't have as much room for adjustment as a regular bicycle. I'd wait until you saw the doctor. It's hard taking a few days off...trust me, I understand! You already know that you 1. Won't gain weight. 2. Won't lose fitness. 3. Can make it worse by pushing through it.
I highly recommend a night of couch surfing and a bowl of frozen yogurt w/berries (or wine, beer, chocolate, etc.) with some trashy television shows to drown your sorrows in.
Southeastern Cycling
My Nest Bio and Cycling Advice
Won't gain weight? Uhm . . . it's Easter. I love Easter candy WAY more than Halloween candy. I also love Easter dinner - my mom will be making lots of yummy, fattening, not-clean-at-all Italian food and pastries for Easter dinner. Aaand, I'm on vacation from work which means . . . I don't plan on cooking. However, I supposed Trader Joe doing my cooking isn't nearly as bad as the local pizza parlor doing my cooking.
I was supposed to go to boot camp tonight. I already spoke with my teacher and let him know I can't do any lower body. Is going and doing upper body ok? (He said he'd modify everything for me so it was a total upper body workout. I've seen him do this for others with knee issues in our group.)
GP buddy to blenderdance