Runners Knee Solutions
In my last post about Runner’s Knee, I spoke of the problems I had with my left knee, which were further aggravated by the MCL sprain in my right knee. Thankfully, my right knee MCL problem has subsided, but I still get some pain in the left knee at times. Even so, I am able to run and carry on with activity on a nearly normal level. Here are my solutions to my Runner’s Knee problem:
- Take 2 (or 3) ibuprofen tablets about 1 hour before running. I know this does not sound like much of a solution, but it allows me to run normally without pain since any inflammation is minimized. Normal running allows me to strengthen muscles to work together in a normal balanced manner, and strength conditioning is listed as one of the best ways to combat this problem. In this case I am using the run itself to condition as opposed to special exercises. Truthfully, I don’t like the idea of taking the ibuprofen, but it works, and I find that each “normal” run seems to leave my knee feeling a little better. On occasion, I try my run without the ibuprofen, but I am still not to the point where I can run without irritation – and a run while the knee is inflamed will further aggravate the problem. To minimize the amount of ibuprofen I take, I abstain from using it otherwise for headaches (if I can). Also, I am considering the use of aspirin as an alternative.
- Ice down the knee if it is inflamed. This is very helpful after any inflammation occurs, and helps to prevent further aggravation.
In summary, insuring that I am not using the knee while it is swollen and/or inflamed seems to be the ticket to recovery. Aggravation of the Runner’s Knee condition occurs when I walk or run on an inflamed knee. Abstaining from running alone did not seem to help me at all and in fact almost seemed to make things worse for me. Also, I continue to take the Glucosamine Sulfate, although I very much doubt it is doing much if any good. I have discontinued use of the fish oil pills – my Runner’s Knee problem started when I started taking these and got significantly better when I stopped taking them. I have found no evidence in internet searches that fish oils pills should cause this, but I am still going to abstain from them to be on the safe side. The only way my fish oil pills could possibly be causing problems would be via mercury contamination, a remote possibility I guess.