Hi all,

So, I have an interesting situation. I work out pretty consistently during the week - cardio on an elliptical machine for between 30-45 minutes. No problems, it's a good workout.

On the weekends, I push myself a little bit, and go for 5-6 mile hikes. This was all going very well until 2 weeks ago. I was going along, and all of a sudden my knee just started hurting every time I stepped down. The pain is in the front of my knee, it feels like near the kneecap (if I have my anatomy right). It hurt like the dickens, but I was about 2 miles out, so I had to come back on the sore knee.

The next day (Sunday), I rested it, and when I went back to the gym on Monday, it was no problem with the elliptical. I figured it was just a fluke.

Then, lo and behold, this weekend I went out hiking again on Sunday. Bam, about 2 miles (maybe a mile and a half) into things, the same pain starts up. It's only in the right knee, only when I step down, and it's not as bad when I'm going uphill as when I'm going down.

I finished my hike, and it hurt like heck to walk on that leg the rest of Sunday. Then, today, I went to the gym and used the elliptical and it hurt, but not as bad as walking on it.

So, I guess I have a few questions for chicks who may have been there before:

1. Is a knee brace worth it? If so, what are some good brands?

2. Should I make an appointment with my doc to see if she can refer me to a specialist?

3. Do any of you have armchair diagnoses, or have you dealt with something like this before?

The Mayo Clinic and WebMD are talking about scary things like torn ACLs and floating cartilage, but all of them are about consistent pain, and this honestly only hurts when I walk on it past a certain point, and then it kicks in really good.

Thanks in advance for your help!

I would see a doctor -- we're just fat chicks!

But, seriously, a doctor is the best idea -- can give you a diagnosis and prognosis based on tests. You may learn something important about what to do/not to do to help your knee.

It sounds like an IT band injury. Go to the doctor.

I sent an e-mail requesting an appointment - you guys are right, better to know and be sure than be worried and not know.

Now let's just hope the doc's office bills it correctly to my insurance. Last time I went in for a referral I ended up getting charged $120 for her to talk to me for five minutes. Thanks but no thanks! I ended up on the phone with both companies for more hours than I care to remember.

for calling the Doc

My daughter had Patella Femoral Syndrome (sp) Therapy and orthotics helps her, that and she just stopped growing, it started during her growth spurt and ended when she stopped growing, go figure

I've been ignoring some knee pain for a few years now. I've had it on and off for quite some time, yet this winter it has been PARTICULARLY bad.

One night, I banged it under a table while going to cross my legs, and I was in the most horrible, crying pain for hours. I was terrified that this meant I would require knee surgery, knee replacement... Xrays pproved it isn't a bone thing. I'm going to go for physiotherapy.

Good luck!!!! I hope it all works out well on your end too!!!!

Just wanted to thank you guys for encouraging me to go. My doc pretty immediately diagnosed it as an IB injury, like lizard suggested. She's sending me to a physical therapist to learn how to work with that particular part of my body. She says to give up the walking for now, but the elliptical is okay, and to take ibuprofin in the morning and at night until I see the PT. Also, to ice my knee after any exercise.

Thanks again for your support and help, everyone!

Go to a physio... I find them much more effective than a doctor when it comes to sports injuries.

Your knee sounds similar to a problem i had (only it was running). My physio noted that that kind of pain is caused by one set of muscles being stronger than another which pulls the knee cap out slightly hence causing pain.

I am a huge advocate of having a problem seen to now rather than ignoring it and hoping it goes away. It saves money, time and pain in the long run!