bilateral medial acute knee pain

Question
Hi!
I'm currently doing the couch to 5k running program. I am 25 and used to run 3 miles 3x/week in college (3years ago). I'm not overweight at all but have definitely been in better shape (muscle tone, cardiovascular strength). The reason why I'm writing is because since starting my running program I have had medial knee pain in both knees. I've looked in my anatomy books and the ligament closest to the pain is the medial collateral ligament. The pain was pretty bad today. I'm a nurse so 12 hours of walking coupled with knee pain cannot be a regular occurrence.

I really am enjoying my running program and would like to continue. I wear new Nike shox with arch support inserts for runs and was wondering if my shoes could be the problem or should I get a gait analysis? I've been icing and ordered compression knee braces, but any insight is greatly appreciated. I don't want to give up running but I can't work with this knee pain. Please help! -Sam

Answer
This Chicago,South Loop & Elmhurst Sports Med Podiatrist says.......

Dear Sam,

You did not stand in College for 12 hours either.
You can look at yourself in the mirror with shorts and see if your knee(s) tend to lean in-with & without your shoes. If they do an arch support or orthotic may help-or gym shoes with a little bit of a heel.
Your patella should be facing forwards towards the mirror
If you have tried different braces & shoes with failure-sounds like a visit to your Board Certified Podiatrist practicing Sports Medicine (depending on your state). Otherwise an orthopedist who deals in knees.
You can check our online website store for examples of supports and braces at AnkleNFoot.com

Additional advice:

Warm up before and after your runs, and your work shift.
Cut back the work hours or decrease your running time. Ease into your running program
Evaluate your work shoes also in the mirror test

PRICE
Protect-Wrap the knee and get off your feet-or walk in a way that it doesn't hurt
Rest-Walk less and get off your feet. You may need to take up to 1-2 weeks off if it continues to hurt.
Ice-On and of for 3-5 days. Mild heat is OK for stiffness-but not pain-especially in a fresh injury-wait 3 days for heat.
Compress-Mild ace wrap the area-which will also protect
Elevate-if it throbs.
It's normal for any strain of the foot, ankle or knee from overuse  to be in pain -especially when we walk.
Hope This Helps
Good Luck!

Dr George Tsatsos & Svetlana Zats
Podiatrist Chicago 60618 & Elmhurst 60126 Podiatrists
Board Certified in Foot and Ankle Surgery & Orthopedics
New South Loop Location-Chicago 60661
AnkleNFoot.com
Runnersdoc.com
BabyFootDoc.com

DISCLAIMER:
This information is offered as free advice and as general information. It may not be applicable to the specific questioner and his/her problem.  It is not based on actual knowledge of the questioner or his/her medical history and it cannot and should not be relied upon as definitive medical opinion or advice.  Reliable medical opinion and advice can only be obtained through hands-on physical contact and exam of the patient to establish an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.  No doctor/patient relationship is created or established here and may not be inferred through answers on this site.  The questioner and other readers must consult his/her own doctor before proceeding or implementing any suggestions contained within this document and answers on this site.  The questioner is only to act upon his/her own doctor抯 orders and recommendations. By reading this posting which follows, the reader fully understands and confirms that he/she holds harmless this writer. If this is not fully agreeable to you, the reader, and/or you have not attained the age of 18 years, you hereby are advised to read no further.


Hope This Helps
Good Luck!

Dr George Tsatsos & Svetlana Zats
Podiatrist Chicago 60618 & Elmhurst 60126 Podiatrists
Board Certified in Foot and Ankle Surgery & Orthopedics
New South Loop Location-Chicago 60661
AnkleNFoot.com
Runnersdoc.com
BabyFootDoc.com

DISCLAIMER:
This information is offered as free advice and as general information. It may not be applicable to the specific questioner and his/her problem.  It is not based on actual knowledge of the questioner or his/her medical history and it cannot and should not be relied upon as definitive medical opinion or advice.  Reliable medical opinion and advice can only be obtained through hands-on physical contact and exam of the patient to establish an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.  No doctor/patient relationship is created or established here and may not be inferred through answers on this site.  The questioner and other readers must consult his/her own doctor before proceeding or implementing any suggestions contained within this document and answers on this site.  The questioner is only to act upon his/her own doctor抯 orders and recommendations. By reading this posting which follows, the reader fully understands and confirms that he/she holds harmless this writer. If this is not fully agreeable to you, the reader, and/or you have not attained the age of 18 years, you hereby are advised to read no further.