Runners Knee and Elliptical

Question
I read your answer to Jackie (from 6/20/06) and was wondering if you could say some more about why you advised no elliptical.  I have been having knee problems with running and have been "resting" it by working out on my elliptical machine.  After speaking with a doctor finally and having the cause of my knee pain explained (she told me that I have "runners knee", which is caused by my outer quads being stronger than inner, thereby causing my knee cap to not track properly - or something like that), I began to think that I was doing the exact wrong thing for the problem by ellipting.  In fact, I worried I had made what may have been a minor problem much worse.  But I'm not sure.  So, should I stop ellipting?  Thank you.

Answer
Hi Mary
First your doctor is wrong.There is no such thing as runners knee.The only thing she got partially right is the quad strength.What you have mary is a slight case of chondromalica and you should stop the ellipting.When your back under control you can go back.I personally can't stand them.The reason for no elliptical is because you do what is neccessary to fix the the problem and treat the cause.I pulled a Q&A from one of my privious answers where i explain what the situation is and prescription to take car of it.You want to start taking 500mg of vitimin c with your 3 meals a day.This is like gold for runners for the tissues,cells,tendons, and connective tissue and ligaments.I can't tell you how many knee's i have fixed over the years.Mary ,after reading through all this if you have further questions just get in touch.

The very best to you

John


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Scott Lovell Asks in Category Jogging & Running ...
 
Subject:  Knee soreness
Private:  no
 
Question:  Hi,
I am 30 years old and have never really had any knee problems.  I am very annoyed because I feel I have brought this on myself.  I run about 3 times a week, usually on a treadmill.  2 weeks ago I was doing some lunges with hand weights at the gym.  Admittingly I strained a little and had probaly used weights too heavy.  3 days later I had a run at the gym and after 20 mins my knee was really painful.  I iced it up that night and the following day and then it felt fine.  I have no soreness walking and none on a very hard workout on the stepper.  2 weeks later I had a light 5 min run and suffered no pain, then did a 30 min step with no pain and no sorenes the next day.  2 days later I did a fitness test, running 3.2km in 12 mins, then 2x100 meter sprints after it.  During this I felt no pain, but an hourr later I could feel the pain and its pretty sore again.  2 days since that, my k nee is feeling fine again.  Does it sound serious?  Have I just pushed it too quickly?  I'm seeing a physio in 3 days to be cautious.  The pain feels around my knee cap really - never suffered this before?
 
Answer:  Hi scott
Great discription of your situation.Thanks for that.Sure makes my job easier.You  have a slight case of chondro malacia.It isa disintegration of the patella and femoral cartilage surfaces,resulting in uneven rough gliding motion between these structures.Any disruption of the normal smooth gliding motion of this structure will result in cartilage damage.This is why your feeling where you do.Bottom line not serious but could be if you don't adress it now.Your knee tracks like a train on the railrod tracks,and it got out of the groves,jumped track do to some of those exercises you just did.
To fix this there are 2 things you need to do.First start riding an exercise bike for 30 to 40 min.3 to 4 times a week.Not a regular bike except for rec purposes.You want a med to high spin with med to hard tension.This will retrack the knee and also sand down the back of the knee cap and smooth it out and also strengthen quads.Second start doing leg extensions,curls,adductor,abdductor work.Thats it scott,cancel your physio save $$$.Your situation does sound miner since it goes away quickly so you should respond rapidly.I would continue with this routine as a way to stay ahead of the curve as they say.To stay active you have to incorporate prevention consistently or things will catch up with you,and that is a promise.Hope this gives you a plan to work with.Let me know how it is progressing and if you have any other questions.

To your success