Runners Knee

Question
I started running about 3 years ago and have never had any issues with my knees, i did my first half marathon and at the very end it felt like i had pulled something in my hip going down on the side of my knee, i walked the last part of the race and stayed off of it for a week. The next time i tried running i was going up a small hill and started feeling pain and pressure in and around my knee. I have been to 3 doctors and been through 2 physical therapy programs, nothing seems to actually help. My next step is to try actupuncture because it feels like the inflammation will never go away. I have wore braces, done the programs, tried resting it and nothing has seemed to work. Is there anything else i havent tried that might take this away?? I just want to be able to run again it is so upsetting.
Thanks
Kelly

Answer
Kelly, I'm very sorry to hear what you've been through. The good news is it doesn't sound like anything scary serious. The bad news is no one you've been to has known what to do. It doesn't shock me none of the people you've seen have known what to do. A situation like this requires finding the right person. It could be a few different things and the key is to find out what it is. This is very difficult to do via writing back and forth. Thus, I'll provide 2 main suggestions.  

1) Perform 4x12 clamshells every day for a week. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiqvDV8pzRk If they hurt after the first 2 days then stop performing them. If they feel good or at least don't hurt then keep performing them. (This exercise may prove to be magic.)

2) A physical therapist who has the OCS, SCS, or TMR credentials may very well be able to help you. (Wilmington, MO is the only city where a PT that is TMR certified in MO that I know of.) If you would like to send me 1-3 that you've found with these credentials I'd be more than happy to look at their bios and clinic and see if it'd be a good fit.


The biggest take home message is to not give up. We can figure out what's there. I would be very confident if I saw you in person. It will just take a very good clinical exam. Once we know what the impairments are it should be fixable.

I look forward to hearing from you Kelly.