Knee pain - I want to start running again

HairyBeast

Barefooters
Jul 19, 2011
32
1
8
Hey guys, I started running barefoot about a year ago now, but in December last year I started developing knee pain which caused me to give up running completely. I'm really keen to start running again but even before I think about it my right knee feels weird.

just below the knee cap in my right leg there is a dull ache, and around the top edge of both knee caps I get a slightly more intense ache. When I bend my knees with my hands on my kneecaps I can often feel them 'creaking' if that makes sense.

As a bit of background I don't think my posture is very good, for some reason I almost always put more weight on the left side of my body and when I am sitting down I can feel more weight on that side. when I am standing I sort of lean slightly to the left from the hips, though it feels natural and is strange if I try to correct myself in the mirror so I am standing straight.

Also my left foot is flat and my right foot has an arch, weirdly my left leg actually feels healthier though, the foot feels somewhat springy whereas my right foot is a bit more solid, I don't know whether the arch contributes to that or not. I'd love to hear what someone thinks about this, as I am really itching to get back running again!

Thanks for reading
 
Jordan,

You really need to see a good therapist to assess you. i would guess your glutes are weak and you are quad dominant in your movment. weak hips also contribute. It's all about the "chassis"
View the 2 videos here and assess yourself
http://naturalrunningcenter.com/category/strength-mobility/

most of the rehab takes place without running.

Dr. Mark
 
Hi there,
As Mark says, I think you need to get your imbalances sorted out before you start back at the running or else you will end up with all kinds of problems. I swear by the the foam roller these days. I bought mine around 9 months ago and my calves were really sore when I first used it. The calves are great now, I can apply much more pressure to iron out any knots if I get any. I'm working on the hip area now, at the top of the quads and they can get quite sore when I get the pressure on them but it really does work.
Great video by the way Dr Mark.

Neil
 
Thanks for the replies guys,

I've watched the videos and I think I need more flexibility at my right ankle, but when I try the stretch with a towel under one foot I find that I can't really feel it, I think I'm probably doing something wrong. It does seem that the limited range of motion in my right foot is holding me back a bit, and thinking back it was always inflexible. Which exercises can I do to increase the range of motion? I'd agree that my quads are far stronger than my hamstrings, when I feel the back of my leg there doesn't seem to be much there compared to the front. I would say my core is pretty strong, I've been doing the plank and side plank for a while now, but I'll be looking to incorporate some of the other moves as well. Neil, I've borrowed a foam roller from a friend and I'll get to work now!