Nagging Knee Injury

Hi all,

Im new to realbuzz but just wondered if anyone had advice about a reoccurring knee injury.  Its my left knee and isnt painful as such but every time I do exercise for the next few days or longer afterwards it is achey around the joint.  Mainly when I try to sleep it can be uncomfortable and ache during the day but when I play football orr do exercise it doesnt seem to hurt or ache.  Thinking of a trip to a sports massage centre before I start my training again.  I tried resting it for a month but it came back soon after, all down the left side.  Any suggestions welcome :)

Thanks all

I'm not an expert so I recommend that you see a physio as this does seem to be a reoccuring problem for you.

My guess, based on the limited information that you have given us and my own experience, is that it could be ITB syndrome.  The ITB is a band of tissue that joins at the outside of the knee joint and at the hip.  It is designed to support all of the leg muscles when you move so that they don't slip out of place.  The ITB can get very tight and then it can pull where it joins the bones at either the knee or the hip, and that is when you get pain.

You can do some stretches to help the ITB to loosen up.  Have a look on the internet to get some ideas.  You can also massage the ITB - either get a sports therapist to do this, or you can do it yourself with a foam roller.  I would recommend seeing a physio or a sports therapist at least once to get a proper diagnosis and to give you the right information about massaging and stretching.

Of course, I could have completely the wrong diagnosis, in which case ignore me.

Stevey, it really is worth the expense of getting proper advice from an expert such as a sports physio. What you have described sound very similar to issues I experienced in the past which were related to muscular imbalances in the quad muscles which effectively meant that when running the knee was being support by a weak muscle one on side and a stronger muscle on the other. This effectively meant the knee was partly being pulled out of alignment and therefore 'rubbing' which was the cause of any discomfort. I was given a series of exercise to build up the inner quad muscles and it worked a treat. Seek expert help and I'm sure you won;t look back. It was the best £35 I've spent in a good while for the consultation.

Ouch, that sounds painful! I think a lot of people think that these complaints will just go away, or that they're not very important. So to them £35 could instead be spent on a meal out or a new dress/trainers or something. But it is worth getting a proper consultation.

I agree it's always best to spend money, even though it might feel like a waste if nothing comes of it - it will always give you peace of mind :)

Indeed Helen, it's better safe than sorry!

Can't put a price on health!

Thanks for the advice everyone, really kind of you all.  Whilst the injury has eased up of late I am definitely going to go see specialist before I push it further as I cant miss the marathon next year.  £35 is nothing to get rid of the grief either :) will keep you all posted but fingers crossed it can be relatively easy to fix it.  Hoep everyones R and R or training is going well!

Sounds good, hope it all goes well!

Nice one. I'm glad you're getting it sorted. Can't be nice :(. Let us know how it all goes (the knee and the marathon!)