Left Knee Pain

Question
Hi Nick,

I am 25 years old and I just started working out at the gym a week ago. Up until this I haven't been very active. I am 5'6 and weighed 151 lbs when I began, 3/21/2011. (I weighed yesterday at 148, yay!) Anyway I have been doing cardio on the elliptical for 10 mins, then walking/running for 20 mins on the treadmill. Last Sunday my left knee became very sore. I worked out everyday the week before, except on Friday. I iced it off and on all day Sunday and that seemed to help. I stayed off of it Sunday and didn't go to the gym. I did however go back to the gym yesterday, but instead of the treadmill I just used the elliptical thinking it would be easier on my knee. Unfortunately the pain is back! It is not sore to touch, but it hurts when I move it, or apply weight on it. Walking up the stairs in my house is especially painful. Do you think this is something serious? Or probably normal since I am just starting to workout? Also should I stay off it, or keep working out? I don't want to stop my workout routine, but I certainly don't want to injure myself either. Any help is much appreciated!

Thanks!

Answer
Callie

Hi, a lot of your questions I'm not in the right position to answer. It's important to make sure you head into running slowly, if you are just starting off, you are bound to have some pains while you ready your body for this.

It sounds like you just have some tenderness in the knee, I'd go to the doctor to make sure it's nothing serious, a pull, fracture, etc...this stuff you should get checked out if it doesn't go away after a day or two.

and the golden rule, if it hurts, don't use it, you'll just make it worse. Avoid the 'run' part of your workout now and head to the doctor ASAP, you need to get that checked out.