26, 180ish. My right knee hurts. I was doing running for a while, and that made it go from painlessness, to painful over a two month period, so I stopped, and got to walking only. My knee still hurt a bit, so I thought of stopping crossing my legs (so now I never cross them). This helped, and they were almost perfect again, so I thought I'd start running. Oops, well, now they hurt again. All I'm doing is walking, but they still hurt a bit. Fact is, even before I started running my knees would always hurt a bit doing squats (I don't even lift over 200 lbs, so I'm not killing them).

This is pissing me off. It's not like I'm 60 and should have bad joints, and I've not been abusive with my body in the past. I would be surprised if my general practioner would have any advice worth a damn besides "stay off it for a while", which is useless (I think that as long as I'm doing anything, I'll have some lingering pain). So, who do I see about this sort of thing?

Also, would a brace be likely to help me? Maybe icing the knee for 30 min every day, etc.? It's not bad pain, and I can run with it and do squats, but it's lingering slight pain, and where there's smoke there's fire; I don't want to eventually cripple myself. Thanks!

i'm in basically the same situation bro, went too hard too fast (i dont know if thats how you injured yourself or not) got shin splints and some knee pain as well...took 2 weeks off..went back and the splints were gone but damnit if i didnt get 20 yards and my knee hurt like hell (all the down to my achillies)

i'm going to see my Orthopedic surgeon next week, have him take a look at it. Try that and see what they say. There are general Orthopedic surgeons and ones that specialize in knee, foot and ankle, shoulder, whatever.

I think that my shoes are decent, and even before doing cardio (just with squats) mine still hurts a bit - always has just a little bit.

If I see a general orthopedic surgeon, how do I find one? Do I need a referral? Are they the dudes who specialize in this sort of thing?

My older brother used to run a lot and he had knee problems. He saw a doc about them and had custom arches made, but ultimately the pain never went away and he just ended up quitting running.

Hell though I even have knee pain a bit when I'm on my bike. I feel like an old man!

I think that my shoes are decent, and even before doing cardio (just with squats) mine still hurts a bit - always has just a little bit.

If I see a general orthopedic surgeon, how do I find one? Do I need a referral? Are they the dudes who specialize in this sort of thing?

My older brother used to run a lot and he had knee problems. He saw a doc about them and had custom arches made, but ultimately the pain never went away and he just ended up quitting running.

Hell though I even have knee pain a bit when I'm on my bike. I feel like an old man!

nah man, at least i dont think you need a referral. I have Aetna Health Care, I just went on their website and from there i can find a specialist or general practitioner for anything I need.

Get a list of participating doctors from your insurance company, call 'em up, they will take your info, tell what the problem is and they will schedule you with the proper orthopedist.

2 years ago I had a running program going. Eventually I developed pain under my knee cap. I had no idea what it was. I went to a specialty running shoe store and they put me on their treadmill and video tapped me. Turns out I'm a supanator. Supanator is a person that runs on the outside of their feet. Most people are pronators, meaning their feet roll in when they run. They told me that I was wearing the wrong kind of shoes. My shoes where built for stability, a pronators shoe. What I needed was a shoe built for cushioning. So I bought the right kind of shoe. All of the employees at this specialty running store are college runners so I asked about a sports doctor. They gave me the name of an orthepedic doctor.

I made an appointment and he said that I had some muscle/tendon balance issues. My specific diagnosis was IT Band syndrom. When the muscles and tendons in your legs are unbalanced it puts a lot of pressure on your knee. With me, my IT band was so tight that it was pulling on my knee cap slightly causing it to not track straight.

I went to physical therapy, got the right shoes and now I'm out running again.

Physical therapy consisted of:
1. a ton of stretching. Hamstring, calf, quad and IT band.
2. Strengthening my quads. wall chair, squats and leg press.
3. Eliptical trainer.

I went twice a week for 2 months and I was able to run again.

My legs are now stronger then ever and more flexible then ever too.

See an orthepedic specialist. Your insurance may require you to get a referral from your primary physician.

I lived with knee pain for the better part of 2 years and finally saw a specialist. Luckily for me I won't need surgery and with proper stretching and strengthening exercises, my knee pain is all but gone.

AMR gave some serious information in his post. IT Band Syn. could be an issue for you. I have seen testement from many climber types overcoming this issue just as AMR states.

Get to a sports orthopedic that specializes in knees. Pick up a phone book and dig around. Get some names and pop them into the internet. See what you can find.

Of course, I always suggest The Steadman Hawkins Clinic in Vail, Colorado, but I have no idea where you live (sorry if I missed it). I have beat my body silly, and they are repairing it year after year. In my opinion they are decades ahead of anyone else in the field of sports medicine.

:gl:

four

Thanks all :) I will check the phone book and/or BCBS, and/or call up the local running store and see what they think and whom I should visit!