I have posted here a couple of times -- usually I post over on the LWL thread, but since this is something that happened while I was jogging on the treadmill, I thought I'd ask my question over here:

I have been walking/jogging for about 2 months, and also weight training. Other days, I do elliptical or exerise bike. A few days ago, I got on the treadmill, warmed up 5 mins. like I usually do, then upped the speed to a jog (5.2 mph). About 30 seconds into it, I got a sharp pain right on the kneecap, not above or below. I stopped, massaged it, stretched for a couple of minutes, then started again. Same thing. Got off, did 45 mins on elliptical with no problem.

Have stayed off treadmill for about 3 days, and would every once in awhile have a twinge just in everyday walking, but not really the pain. Did leg workout today (including squats and lunges) and did not feel anything.

Any advice before I try the treadmill again tomorrow? Of course, if this continues, I will go to my doctor, but is this something common I can deal with myself?

Thanks!
Luanne

I'm having a similiar problem. I went to the doctor and she tried to convince me to stop running. I told her that I wanted to see a physical therapist. Finally she gave in and gave me a referrel.

My problem is that I have not been exercising the opposing muscles in my legs. The running has built up parts of the leg muscles but not the opposite ones. I'm not an expert and I'm probably not explaining it clearly.

She said that my knee cap is sitting too close to the knee and it's causing pain. She gave me some exercises to do to help buld up the quads, and the muscles on the side of the knees and that should help the muscles to pull the knee cap back up a smidgen. Well, even if the explaination isn't totally clear, the exercises have helped trememdously.

Here's a site with a better description. The exercises are mostly like the ones my PT gave me without the weights.
http://www.nismat.org/ptcor/pfp/
http://patients.uptodate.com/topic.a...=bone_joi/7872

info on runners knee:
http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_5/194.shtml

I'm sure you'll be getting more replies soon.
Sarah

Sarah --

Thanks! The websites you linked to were a real help!

Luanne

Hi Luanne My DD has Patella Femoral Syndrome aka sore knees, and what Sara said is exactly what our doc said, including the muscle pulling the knee cap. That first site with the exercises are exactly the exercises he told her to do, which she doesn't, she's 15 and knows it all you know kids ... When we discovered the knee problem we also went to see a Chiropodist and he discovered from taking a video gait analysis that she had a leg length discrepency and he fitted DD with orthotics. Since having the orthotics she has not complained once about the knee pain.

I was also fitted with orthotics because my toes were getting numb, I have Morton's neuroma.... when I visited the Chiropodist the first time about my numb toes he asked if I had sore knees I said no and he was very, very suprised that a woman my age, 48 didn't have sore knees. I mentionned to him that I weight train and have very strong legs and I make a point of working my quads and hams because I knew I needed strong muscles for running. He was very pleased with that and said that the bones are as healthy as the surrounding muscles, tendons and tissies will be. So, keep doing those weights and don't be shy to go a little heavy. I do some minor knee pain when I run but I've discovered that if I take Glucosamine I am fine.

I have had problems with my toes going numb. Is that a symptom of Moron's neuroma? I'm 27 and I've been experiencing the toes numbness for almost a year now. It comes and goes and usually occurs in the morning when I wake up. How did they diagnose you? Sorry for all the q's but I've never run into to anyone that had the numb toes thing too.

BBB -- No problem with the questions, that's how we learn!! When I noticed my problem which happened when I was running, I set up an appointment with the Chiropodist you can also see a podiatrist. He saw it right away. It's like the arch is fallen in the ball of your foot, maybe I'm not explaining that right

Here are some sites that will explain it better, but see your doc, it's basically caused by high heels, bad shoes ...

http://www.podiatrychannel.com/mortonneuroma/
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/fact/thr_r...pcategory=Foot
http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?id=DS00468

Hope this helps

Thanks Ilene. I'll check those sites out and look into seeing a podiatrist.

I guess that's what I don't understand -- I know my legs (both quads and hams) are MUCH stronger since I've been lifting weights, yet most of what I read regarding knee problems is that it is usually caused by weak leg muscles. I did get back on the treadmill the other day and did 2 mins walk, 2 mins jog for 20 minutes at 0 incline and was ok -- no pain, just a little twinge at the end.

I'm going to try the same thing again today.

BTW, my feet get numb on the elliptical!

Thanks for all the input, everyone!

Luanne