Knee Pain (lower medial side) while running

Question
Hi John,

Thank you for volunteering your time to answer questions. I started running 5 weeks ago, started with one mile and am up to 3.1/5K. During the past week or so I have had pain while running in my right knee. The pain is about 1.5"-2" below my kneecap on the medial side. In a medial to lateral motion the pain is about half-way between the top/center of my knee and all the way to the inside of the knee. I do not think it is runner's knee or any other patella syndrome since the pain is isolated to the side, but it might be hehe. The pain is seems to be lower down in the lower part of the joint below the height area of the knee cap. There is some swelling in the area (it's feels "squishy" when I push on it, compared to the left knee).

I have been icing it after running, which helps some. Since it started hurting while running it also hurts while going down stairs, but not up.

Final piece of information - Around 2 or so weeks ago I was rock climbing in the gym (I go regularly, it is not a new activity for me) and I banged my the same knee (the right one) on some of the holds on the wall. It hurt at the time, but seemed to get better, but now there's the pain while running.....

Thank you again for your help, sorry this is so long-winded!

Best Regards,
Meg

Answer
Hi Meg
It appears to me it came from when you banged it rock climbing and it just didn't recover.It very likely could be a bursa based on your description.The best thing is to google bursa for explanation and treatment.I would not run and just ride stationary bike easy to correct any alignment and tracking situations.It doesn't appear serious,but you always have to treat all injuries like they are.Also no rock climbing.Just stick to bike for a while till you get it under control.If you have other questions just get in touch.

All the best

John