Hi, I am 15 years old and have been running since fourth grade. I have a
reacurring knee injury that I would like to get to the bottom of. My
knee pains come and go. It usally hits suddenly and I only start to feel
the pain only after my workout or when I start warming up but the pain
then disappears. Also it hurts when I squat done and it gives a popping
sound, like popping your knuckles, although unlike popping your knuckles
after you do it oncee you generally can not do it again, but with my
knee i can squat or bend my knee repeatidly and it will give a popping
noise. Right now I do not have any pain but my knee still sometimes gets
aggrievated when squat down though the pain is very minimal and doesn't
affect me. It also still gives a popping noise once in a while and
contiunally. I do have a bipartite patella and so could the popping
noise be normal. Also I was wondering if you could tell me if I had
petellar tendinitis or runner's knee.
Thank you,
Justin
Justin:
Knee pain and "popping" sounds in an otherwise healthy (young) knee are not
normal. Since the knee is in the middle of a biomechanical chain of joints and
levers, whenever the knee complains, I look for the cause at the foot or the hip
first. If you have read my responses to people with knee pain, I usually suggest
that they get evaluated for biomechanical faults, and possibly orthotics. You
should also. From what you told me, it sounds like you are developing
chondromalacia patella - so take care of this before it becomes a problem that
prevents you from running. With knees, prevention is better than a cure! That is
why I tell people that while not every one needs orthotics at the moment,
everybody benifits from them, especially athletes. And lets face it, runners
pound on their joints day after day, and probably need them most of all!
Use ice when your knee is hurting, and try not to make them pop just to see how
they are doing - it can't be good for you!
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