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Not another knee injury posting!

Having received a tonne (ton?) of advice from you people regarding my swimming (thanks, I've gone from 50m to 500m before rest in 6 weeks!) I had to pull out of today's Tatton Park Triathlon [:(]

Knee pain starting on the outside of the knee, spreading up and around my leg. Couldn't get physio in time but will get it sorted and break my Tri cherry at the end of the summer hopefully.

Cheers for your swim help.

(I went along and watched the Tatton Tri. It was awesome! And frustrating!)

Comments

  • TommiTriTommiTri Posts: 879
    Oh no! my sympathies go out to you man!



    I am also a tad worried about my knee, i had a meniscal tear repair op in feb, it hasnt hurt for months after a successful op, but ive felt a twinge in it recently and to be honest after missing the last 2 seasons with injury I'm bricking it a bit!



    good luck from now mate, and with the physio!
  • honchohoncho Posts: 23
    Ive had knee problems for 2 yrs now, my doc isn't interested. the last time i said to him about it , he suggested i took a holiday how do i go about going above my GP. i am a lucky one only seen GP 10 times in 20yrs
  • TommiTriTommiTri Posts: 879
    See another GP, preferably a sports injury specialist as they know the most about knees! You cant get an appointment with an orthopaedic surgeon without a GP referral.



    failing that ask to see a physio, have the physio, and if its still a problem you should be able to get a referral then.
  • JonhinioJonhinio Posts: 289
    For someone who suffered 18 years of knee injuries, I always now turn to sports masseurs as the people who seem to get me sorted out.



    Going via the GP route I ended up having 4 operations. The first one being exploratory, the second as a result of the surgery done on the first one.. and the last two to correct what went wrong on the second. At one poitn one surgeon said I needed a complete Anterior Cruciate Ligament reconstruction. I got a second opinion and was told tha tthe only thing wrong was a slightly damaged cartilage.



    It was a sports therapy masseur that acrtually realises that the problem was caused by a muscle imbalance and all I needed was stretching exercises. So my advice is try and get to see one. If they say it may need surgery, then so be it, but that should be the last option. Hope this helps.
  • jbgt2jbgt2 Posts: 6
    After having an ACL in 95 the knee has become stable but not pain free. The best thing I found is to take Glucosamine with Chrondroitin and MSM, flaxseed and visits to a Chiropractor (over compensation ,sub conciously, for the injury leads to the 'good leg' becoming overworked. The result is the ligaments where the Coccyx attaches to the pelvis become inflamed and tighten therefore a re alightment cures)

    More stretching is needed as the age increases too



  • RocksteadyRocksteady Posts: 47
    Hi NKOBT and everyone else.



    I too am a long term knee sufferer and have complete sympathy for you. I had a ACL reconstruction and meniscus tear tidy up in Jan last year following which I decided to give up the rugby and take up triathlon. All was going well and I have been absolutely loving the training and all the shiny new toys you get to buy. I completed the Winchester Tri in April, following which I went off for a theme park filled holiday in Florida where it appears I've managed to strain my medial ligament in the same knee -too much fun on the roller coasters. I've been unable to run for 4 weeks and had to pull out of Blenheim at the weekend. The knee feels like it is getting better slowly, particularly as I've now found a physio who is a sports injury specialist. It's just so frustrating being unable to run and having to take it easy on the bike. On a positive note it is making me go swimming!



    Cheers,



    Ed
  • NKOTBNKOTB Posts: 20
    Cheers guys,

    Fist port of call will be GP and any specialist they want to shove me toward in quick time, otherwise go private with a sports specialist masseur or something.

    I give my misses grief for spending her time on forums but I am a convert after discovering 220. (although hers are all about hairstyles and how to look after it!)
  • BarbsaramaBarbsarama Posts: 73
    Going to a surgeon and asking if you need an operation is like walking into a hairdressers and asking if you need a hair cut or going into a clothing shop and asking if you need a new piece of clothing... Def go down the physio route first - I had operations on both my knees at the same time after months of physio and sports massage that unfortunately didn't fix a mechanical problem that I was born with. But an operation is not even half the battle, there's so much rehab and strengthening etc that needs to be done afterwards you may as well try to avoid it with physio and strenghtening first...
  • SwimfanSwimfan Posts: 19
    I have problems shins and ankles....I have had to bully my GP to refer me each time. Once a GP didnt examine me, he just looked at me and said



    "well there isnt anything we can do"



    I nearly slapped the lazy swine.



    I've paid for a physio and it felt like he was guessing. After several hundred pounds and no progress I gave up on him. I've been to NHS physios...more guess work....where they effectlively tell me to stretch everything then discharge me after several unsucessfull months....very tired of it.



    Its not like in House where you get a cat scan before you mention your symptoms.
  • BritspinBritspin Posts: 1,655
    Yes but House usually almost kills them before getting the right diagnosis, (which is a big word for educated guessing), bit extreme for a knee problem! But seriously, did you get your physio on recommendation? Word of mouth, particularly if the recommender has a similar injury, is a powerful indicator of a positive outcome, but avoid the vicodin swallowing man with a stick...and how come they always suggest lupus (right once) & arrive at correct diagnosis at about 45 minutes in?
  • legalbeaglelegalbeagle Posts: 208
    Hi there Swimfan, I know how you feel - I have been playing the phisio/GP shuffle for months and they can't agree on the problem!!



    I am seeing a specialist sports Physio now - she says get and MRI - GP says - don't need one AARRRGGGHHH. Anyway, the Phisio treatment works really well and I have been doing some gentle off road running to help strenghten my quads and plenty of stretches too - both really help.



    It's hard not to get fed up but try not to let it get to you too much!!
  • husslerhussler Posts: 237
    Well done on the swimming!! Its amazing how 'quickly' your swim fitness comes on.

    Regarding your knee injury, it could be your ITB??

    I had this injury at the 16km point in the Lanzorote 1/2 Marathon earlier this year! i thought my knee was going to collapse :( I went to see a Physio and after 4 sessions and complete rest it was fine and 'touch wood' i havent had any reoccurance :) but now after running 2hrs solid on a treadmill 2 weeks ago after a 2 hr turbo ride, i have a small pocket of fluid on the supra patella part of my knee :( it is still sore but im hoping to be running again by end of next week!!

    I dont usually use treadmills but unfortunately i have done the last 17 weeks of training down in the Falkland islands (im in the RAF) and its winter so the weather is rubbish... Roll on 3rd July when i return home :)

    Good luck with the knee and good luck when you finally get into your racing!!
  • RocksteadyRocksteady Posts: 47
    I'm debating trying the High5 joint protection caps to help out with my creaking knees. Has anyone tried these? Are there any alternative products people would recommend?



    Cheers,



    Ed
  • rj1265rj1265 Posts: 70
    Rocksteady ..... I will be an advocate for Glucosamine, Chondroitin, MSM & Omega 3 FishOil , After many years of Rugby & Sailing (Little and big boats) my back and knees are kn****ed, I was living on ibuprofen (between 8 & 12 a day - everyday) and various antacid mixtures. I took cycling back up when my body couldn't cope with the Rugby, then it was only natural to add the swim and run to it [:)]



    4/5 years ago the owner of the Gym I frequent suggested the above - I am now pain free and don't take any ibuprofen on a regular basis.



    They don't work for everyone but give it a go, allow a few weeks before you will notice any difference . I get my tablets as individuals rather than 1 tablet does all from an online reseller.



    R



  • RocksteadyRocksteady Posts: 47
    Thanks R. Definitely going to give it a go now. Rugby has a lot to answer for! [:D]
  • Phil TPhil T Posts: 49
    Hi there I'm Phil and I'm a podiatrist specialising in biomechanics (for the mighty NHS). By the sounds of your symptoms it sounds as if it could be an ITB injury (iliotibial band). Sometimes known as runners knee. A visit to a physio should be useful but see if they can have a look at your gait and running style. ITB injuries can be strongly linked to excessive pronation and a visit to a sports podiatrist for orthotics/running shoe advice can be helpful. Always good if you can find a physio that have a podiatrist in their clinic too. NHS have good pod bio specialists too and the wating lists aren't too bad at some trusts.



    Anyway all the best and if any more advice required feel free to ask



    Phil
  • NKOTBNKOTB Posts: 20
    I took some of the advice posted and got down to a local physio. He got me running on a treadmill and, yep, classic runners knee with embarrasingly excessive pronation. My left knee looked like it wanted to hump my right foot, such was it's love for heading that way.

    He advised some orthaheel insoles to get started, gave me some simple exercises and last week a deep, painful but pleasurable (!) massage of my IT band. Also said my core balance was pretty bad so I've started an excellent core class to sort that out.

    First run will take place tomorrow night so...
  • legalbeaglelegalbeagle Posts: 208
    good luck with the run - hope the knee hold out!



    Heard today that I'm now on a five month waiting list to see someone about mine! ARrgh
  • MGMG Posts: 470
    I had this exact same problem a couple of years ago, I overpronate and had real probs with my IT band. Got some decent specific trainers, had a couple of sessions of physio, and within a month I was back (and with no pain) running fast 10k and soon after 21k. Stick with the physio, idealy go once a month even when it has cleared up just for an MOT, definately do the core work (plank etc) and you'll be sorted!!!!



    Good luck!!!!!
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