Runner's Knee Frustration

Have you had gait analysis done?

No. My therapist indicated that we might do that, but we never did. I guess that might be a good next step.

ask your dr. if he thinks you might have plica syndrome, it often gets diagnosed as runner's knee by accident.

[quote]TLF54 wrote:

No. My therapist indicated that we might do that, but we never did. I guess that might be a good next step.[/quote

You never know what led to the problem in the first place if you don't. Doesn't sound like it was caused by mega volume. Could you have a foot strike problem, leg length discrepancy either real or functional, pelvic misalignment etc etc.

Thanks for the advice. No, I have never been a mega-volume runner. I will return to the doctor and ask for a gait analysis. I will also ask about Plica syndrome, but this seems unlikely to me. Couldn't hurt to ask, though.

Should I also be asking for an MRI?

You need to see a sport's podiatrist. Runner's knee is usually caused by foot problems--e.g., Morton's toe (the big toe is not the longest toe on the foot) or a foot imbalance. I developed the problem (chondromalacia) in 1968 and George Sheehan, whom I barely knew but would see at races, recommended a podiatrist named Schuster, who made up some leather and cork orthotics for me. I still use leather and cork and have been symptom free now for over forty years. Good luck

I started a topic a few days ago (Neverending runner's knee) with your same concerns. Despite being 2011, it seems like no one has an easy fix for this. If I ever get over it, I'll let you know what I did.

(Btw, if you get over it, could you let me know what you did?)

one leg stair raises, 6 secs each, 2x10 twice a day

Regarding the MRI, seems like your doctor should determine if it's necessary. For example, an MRI would be requested if a torn meniscus can not be ruled out.

I had success recovering from knee pain by using ultrasound.

Check out mendmyknee.com.

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I have an appointment with a different doctor. I will ask for a gait analysis and ask if an MRI is needed. Runners knee sucks.

Do yourself a favor and see a sports podiatrist. Also, see the following article and its citations, in particular the Schuster essay (if I remember correctly, it has a photograph of my lower leg!).www.doctorlandry.com/images/site/observations.pdf

TLF54 wrote:

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I have an appointment with a different doctor. I will ask for a gait analysis and ask if an MRI is needed. Runners knee sucks.