Back Story: I felt my knee 'lock up' while mid-stride walking my dog and being in motion, I went through the step. I knew something had just happened, but there wasn't any pain / problem so I walked home. I ran 3.6 miles the next day with only 2 or 3 brief stabbing pains throughout the whole distance. I knew something was wrong because going up or even worse down stairs felt bad. I stopped running for 2 weeks. Things improved, but never got better. I went for my physical and the PA said I needed to stop running or cut my mileage (about 17 MPW) at least in half. I was told that I was wearing out my knees and things would only get worse. I was told to take Glucosomine, Calcium, and Vitamin D every day.
I pressed for a physical therapy prescription based on my old torn calf muscle and figured I'd ask the physical therapy person about my knee. But before that, I went to see my sports doctor.
My 'sports doctor' is a chiropractor who also does all kinds of other things (which I can't remember at the moment). All I can say is that everyone at the running store where I get my shoes 'LOVES' him. He checked out my knee and suggested that I likely have patella femoral syndrome or runners knee (which I believe to be two separate conditions). He said a third possibility is Quadricep's Tendonitis, but it isn't likely unless the exercises / stretches he gave me don't do anything to help. I'll go back to him in 3-4 weeks to see what progress I've made.
From what I understand: The Patella (kneecap) is supposed to move in a pretty regular fashion (pattern?). It's guided by certain parts and muscles. Runners tend to build up certain muscles, but not others. If the Patella starts traveling in a way it isn't supposed to, you have Patellafemoral (one word?) Syndrome. Please remember that the synopsis I just gave is only my understanding of what I was told. I could have it very wrong.
I feel very relieved. I very much trust my sports doctor (I've never been 'adjusted' by him, so I don't want to call him my chiropractor) over what the PA said. He helped me in the past with a torn calf muscle when no one else seemed to know what to do. So, I figured I'd start a separate thread to clear up what happened (the one about glucosomine dosage was a bit 'muddy').
I found 3 other threads that mentioned Patella femoral syndrome and I have a much better outlook compared to a week ago. I'll try and post back every week or so just to update how things are working out.
Thanks ATHT! You've given me a place to vent and get constructive feedback when no one else around me could. I guess I could say: It's a running thing, they just don't understand.
I pressed for a physical therapy prescription based on my old torn calf muscle and figured I'd ask the physical therapy person about my knee. But before that, I went to see my sports doctor.
My 'sports doctor' is a chiropractor who also does all kinds of other things (which I can't remember at the moment). All I can say is that everyone at the running store where I get my shoes 'LOVES' him. He checked out my knee and suggested that I likely have patella femoral syndrome or runners knee (which I believe to be two separate conditions). He said a third possibility is Quadricep's Tendonitis, but it isn't likely unless the exercises / stretches he gave me don't do anything to help. I'll go back to him in 3-4 weeks to see what progress I've made.
From what I understand: The Patella (kneecap) is supposed to move in a pretty regular fashion (pattern?). It's guided by certain parts and muscles. Runners tend to build up certain muscles, but not others. If the Patella starts traveling in a way it isn't supposed to, you have Patellafemoral (one word?) Syndrome. Please remember that the synopsis I just gave is only my understanding of what I was told. I could have it very wrong.
I feel very relieved. I very much trust my sports doctor (I've never been 'adjusted' by him, so I don't want to call him my chiropractor) over what the PA said. He helped me in the past with a torn calf muscle when no one else seemed to know what to do. So, I figured I'd start a separate thread to clear up what happened (the one about glucosomine dosage was a bit 'muddy').
I found 3 other threads that mentioned Patella femoral syndrome and I have a much better outlook compared to a week ago. I'll try and post back every week or so just to update how things are working out.
Thanks ATHT! You've given me a place to vent and get constructive feedback when no one else around me could. I guess I could say: It's a running thing, they just don't understand.
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