Knee/leg pain after running

[Onita]

After I finished running last night, my leg started throbbing and I almost fell. I only ran 3 miles - during the run I was fine, it was only after stopping. Since then, I've a persistent pain while walking. It feels like it is on the back side of the leg/knee, inside portion. Looking at pictures online, it is in the area of of the semimembranosus. The pain is exacerbated by extending the leg fully - if the knee is bent, I don't have pain, if it is FULLY extended (i.e. I'm standing straight) there is a dull ache but not much pain. It is the process of extending the leg that I feel pain.

I'm looking for advice I guess - is that a common injury and something I need not worry too much about, or should I go to the dr? What can I do to prevent this from happening in the future?

I iced it after it happened and kept it elevated. Its not a debilitating pain, but it makes it very unpleasant to walk. Help me H&F docs!

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Foam roll it, rest for a few days, keep walking, slowly get back into your running program. Foam rolling is gonna be key to unload the hamstrings (semimembranosus is one of them) by reducing tension within the muscle itself. Sounds like a muscle strain, but if it continues to both you a significant amount, see a doctor. If you're interested, you can get a prescription for physical therapy, which will pretty easily address the strain with exercise, massage, strengthening, etc.

 

[Mr. Pedantic]

RICE it for another 24-48 hours or so, but after that start using it again. Take it easy and don't put too much stress on it, but you need to start getting back into what you do normally again. It sounds like you either have a bursitis or tendinitis, and both are difficult to heal right, because they don't have a good blood supply. Keeping it active will help with keeping the muscle conditioned and it will also keep a good blood supply to the area. However, if you are concerned by anything about it, it's best to go see a doctor or at the very least a physiotherapist.

Also, are there any positions where extending the leg causes more pain than others? For example, extending the leg while the thigh is flat, or vertical, or on an angle?

 

[Onita]

Its more painful extending it while I'm standing, even if there is no pressure on it. RICE'd some more last night, did a little foam rolling. Its feeling better today (not 100%, but not as bad). I'll keep at it and look into some hamstring work.

 

[Onita]

Ran for the first time last night - still painful. Not as bad as it was, but I didn't run as long either. There's also a "clicking" when I extend my leg. I may end up having to make a doctor appt. so I can at least find out what the issue is.