Pain in Outer Left Leg

Question
I have been running 7 miles per week (1 mile per day) for 3 months.  I recently increased (over a period of another 10 weeks) my mileage at 10% per week and I am now up to 17 miles per week (ranging from 1 to 4 miles per day).  I have experienced pain in my outer left leg above and below my knee.  I think I have the Iliotibia Band Syndrome but I failed the one test for the syndrome.  That is I bent my knee to a 45 degree position and applied pressure to the outside of my knee and it was not painful at all.  Are there any symptoms similar to iliotibia band syndrome?

Answer
Dear Jim,

Self-diagnosis is very imprecise and risky. You need to visit a running-related physical therapist who can give you a professional evaluation and suggest rehabilitative measures to correct your condition (IT band or not). It is worth the time and investment to get this done properly.

I would be unprofessional, and liable, to try and give you information over the internet. It might cause you more harm than help.

What you have possibly done is overtrain (everyday is too much, even with the low mileage you have been doing). You need rest and recovery from the impact stress so try some crosstraining exercises that do not create additional shock (swimming, walking, biking, etc.) if you wish to exercise daily.


I hope I have been of some assistance.

Dr. Christopher Rampacek