Knee Pain

September 29, 2004

Since one of my other friends has gone to the doctor recently for her broken tailbone. I figure I should tell you about my recent, well, a few weeks ago, visit to a doctor of sports medicine.

To give you some background information, I had been experiencing some knee pain during and after running, along with my left knee just "giving out" when making a hard cut in basketball. So I spoke to my running mentor and trainer and he referred me to what is supposed to be the best sports medicine doctor in the state of Utah. (He treats Utah Jazz players and University of Utah athletes.)

I was rather nervous before I went in, but when I arrived I was quite comfortable. He asked me about my training regimen, habits, diet and lifestyle. He did some basic tests, you know, jumping up and down on one foot, going into a squatting position while standing on one leg, and a couple others. He knew almost instantly what was wrong with me, but took an x-ray just in case. I read Sports Illustrated in the small seeing room while the film was developed.

He returned in a few minutes and showed me the photos of the inside of my knee. It all looked good to me, but what do I know? He, actually, said the same thing. Except he left off the "what do I know" part. He said I look good, look to be in good shape, am strong, weigh the right amount, and should continue my training as scheduled. He had an interesting explanation for whats going on in my knee.

He said my increased aerobic activity has thinned my muscles in all of my body. This is normal and to be expected for somebody running as much as I am. One of the main muscles that this is noticeable in is my thighs or quadriceps. It makes sense that these muscles would shrink. So when I ask them to hold my knee from buckling, as it is supposed to, they can't hold as much as I'm used to asking them to. That makes sense in my head, so if you don't understand, sorry.

Since then, I have begun to cross-train at least one day a week. My cross training is to cycle for 45 minutes.

I know its not as bad as breaking my tailbone, but hey, its my visit to the doctor.

Category: Running | Permalink | 4 Comments
Comments

I remember a time... just about two weeks ago... when I could go to the gym and run on the treadmill, or I could ride the bike, or I could lift weights or I could do yoga... Memories... now it's effort to watch TV or work or sleep because everything really is a PAIN IN THE ASS!

I'm sorry your knee has been hurting. I had knee surgery about 8 years ago. Wasn't fun... but I'd take that over my current situation.

Posted by: Jill at September 30, 2004 10:53 AM

Boohoo! My butt hurts!

Just kidding. I know your butt pain is worse than my knee pain, but your tailbone will heal. I'm sure I'll have issues with my knee for the rest of my life.

Posted by: Neil at September 30, 2004 11:19 AM

I wasn't belittling your knee pain. You very well could have knee pain forever. I sympathize... no, emphathize with you.

And as for my butt... I just learned that once a woman injures her tailbone, she runs the risk of injuring it again in childbirth. So if I have a kid someday, I could have a 'pain in the ass' in two different senses!

Posted by: Jill at September 30, 2004 03:37 PM

Three if you count Kevin. ;)

Just kidding, I know you weren't belittling my knee pain. I didn't know that you could reinjure your tailbone when you have a kid.

Posted by: Neil at October 1, 2004 08:19 AM