Running Knee pain

Question
QUESTION: Hi,

I was running in May and started feeling a pain in my knees. I didn't think much of it and kept on.  After the run, my knees were hurting so I iced it. I rested it for about 1 week and iced them about 3 times a day. I tried running again but the pain was still there. I searched on the internet and thought the answer was runner's knee. So I stopped running to let it rest for a while.  I just tried running for the first time yesterday (about 2 months later). The pain in my right knee is gone. The pain in my left knee is still there but slightly different. It's now a dull pain in the knee itself. It starts about 5 mins into the run.  I have no problems walking irrespective of distance.  If I stop running when the pain occurs, I have no issues with walking. If I restart running, it takes about 1 minute for the pain to start again.

Looking back, I realize that upped my milage prettey quickly. I went from 4.5 miles to 6 miles in 2 weeks and then to 9 miles.  I was able to run the 9 miles 3 times before the issue with my knee happened. Also, the area I live in is very hilly so the route I use is goes up and down.

I'm a bit confused as to why there is still pain there after a prolonged time of rest.

Thanks.

ANSWER: Hi Avi
Many things can cause knee pain but the most common is chondromalacia and the main point of discomfort is under and around the knee cap in which the primary cause is tracking and alignment which is not that hard to develop.Another thing to identify chondo is discomfort walking up and down stairs.before i give you how to treat this please respond back as to whether or not these signs sound familiar in the course of the day or run and then we will pick it up from here Avi.

All the best

John

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

QUESTION: Hi John,

Thank you for the reply.

The pain is under the knee cap.  I do not have pain walking up stairs but have pain when walking down stairs.  I thought this was a bit strange personally as I would have thought the pain would be for both.

Thanks in advance.

Avi

Answer
Hi Avi
I would say you do have a slight case of chondromalacia and the best tool for this is a stationary bike as often as you can for 30 to 40 minutes with high rev's with med tension and increasing it as you become stronger,but still keeping up the rev's.You can also take 500mg of vit c with your 3 meals a day to enhance recovery of tendons,tissue,collagen.The most important thing is a great deal of patience and consistent workouts.If you have other questions just get in touch Avi

All the best

John