Inside Knee Pain

Question
QUESTION: Hi, following a recent sprint-training session, I have developed a (sharp) but bruised/aching pain on the inside of the left knee.

The pain is located below the knee cap far round on the inside, where the knee bone sticks out.

It doesn't swell when i get the pain and the pain stops soon after running. The pain only starts after say 3 miles. I will get no/very little pain for 2-3 miles then it will deteriorate quickly until i cannot run anymore.

The pain occurs more when the left leg is raised, as opposed to hurting on compression.

Any help would be appreciated.

from, a frustrated Triathlete!



ANSWER: Hi Mike
It is very hard to pin point your situation,because there is many ligaments and tendons in and around where your pointing to.They all kind of work together.If you go to google and put in (knee injuries)then go up to left side and click on images you will see a variety of pictures of the knee with all of what i mentioned and close in on which one.You definitely strained one or more and that it doesn't show up right away,probably not to serious,but you have to treat it as a career ending and address the situation and not go on with your training as usual.After checking out google pictures get back to me with what you found and name of ligaments or tendons and i will work with you from there.

All the very best

John

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you John, I appreciate your time.

No injuries I seem to get are 'textbook'!

I have done as you suggest and the medial collateral ligament #at the bottom end# is roughly where the pain in.

But my suspicions are that the medial meniscus is the problem #can you bruise this area?#. The pain seems to come from the joint.

To help shed more light on the issue a few points, the knee feels slightly bruised in the area all the time #maybe just me prodding the bone to see if it has healed!# but it doesn't hurt when walking. The bruised feeling is slightly increased upon twisting the knee.

On reflection I suspect that the cause of the problem was after a gentle but long 10 mile run. Following the run I was stretching ham string muscles by putting my leg on back of the settee #just above waist height#. When I threw the left leg up i had a sudden sharp pain when the leg snapped into the extended position, which lasted maybe 30 mins. The pain was quite severe but went completely after say 2 hours.

Part of me thinks that I crushed/bruised the cartilage. The sprint training may have exaggerated the problem. I have had a cartilage tear before but this time there is no swelling or locking of the knee.

It is also worth noting that the 10 mile run was about 4 weeks ago and the sprint training was 2 weeks ago - so still relatively recent #but that is a long time without training for me!!#

I have searched for ages on the net re my problem and there doesn't appear to be much re what i have.

Thank you again.

Mike

Answer
Hi Mike
First when you say sprint training,do you mean intervals on a 400 meter track?If yes i would strongly advise you to find a place where you can do speed work straight forward back and forth.This will totally reduce quite a number of injuries do to the tremendous torque on your knees,ankles,calf,pelvic,low back.tracking,alignment.You just don't need a track.Second since we do know it is probably one or a couple ligaments or tendons and not sure of the severity.I would suggest to back of your training for a while and just go into reabb mode with alternatives such as stationary bike for tracking and alignment and maintaining aerobic fitness.It is tissue and with good nutrition and rest it should heal fine in time.I would also add 500 mg vit c for tendons,ligaments,collagen.I would add a couple of EPSON salt baths a week more if you like.These are fantastic for healing.Just google...benifits of epson salt baths..for some good read.I would stay out of the doctors office because there just going to put you threw defensive medicine and a gazillion test to line there pocket book.The most important thing is you have to have a great great deal of patience and try to come back to early.If you want go to my web site and use my contact page for future response since i get maxed out quickly on allexperts.If you want to call me in albuquerque nm you can do that to from 6am on.

All the best

John