[Stotty]

Hi ive been running for about four months now and have recently been having pain in my right knee ive been told to go to health shop and buy Glucosamine Sulphate tablets, has anyone heard of these before and do they work. I really dont want to stop running coz ive got my first race in June and i'm really loving training its so addictive. Any help will be much appreciated. Thanks

 

[Granty]

Hi Stotty,

How far and how often do you run at the moment (in any given week) I wonder if you are over training or maybe not giving your legs / knees enough time to recover. Do you have a proper pair of running shoes ?

I have never heard of these tablets but others will have I'm sure, but I guess after 4 months there must be a reason for the knee trouble.

Whereabouts in the knee is the pain ?

 

[telmadee]

we take glucosamine my mum in law suffers with arthritis and she swears by it. Good luck with your training and race

 

[twinkle toes]

Hi Stotty

Welcome to the forum.

Sorry to hear about your knee, do you have correct running shoes as this maybe your problem, if possible try and get to a specialist running shop and have a gait analysis done, which will tell which type of trainer you need, should you not already have it.

I have used glucosamine myself and have run out recently and to be honest have not noticed the difference but I don't think I have been off them long enough, which is not the plan either, as soon as possible will be buying some more, I think they are worth taking and besides won't do you any harm...

Hope the above helps and good luck in June, keep us posted on how you get on.

TT

 

[Stotty]

The pain is in the bottom front part of my knee if that makes sense, but ive had creaky knees for a while now and i'm worried that i shouldn't be running. I bought some Brooks running shoes from a shop that was recomended to me and they have been great so far but funnily enough since ive had them my knee has been playing up and ive just put it down to wear and tear on my joints i cant see it being the shoes. What do you think?

 

[Stotty]

Thanks for that i hope they work for me, do you run a lot?

 

[Granty]

I've been fortunate and not had an injury caused by 'running shoes' but like TT say's best to get yourself checked out in a running shop and see what they say. Seems a coincidence that this has got worse since the Brooks.

 

[twinkle toes]

The pain is in the bottom front part of my knee if that makes sense, but ive had creaky knees for a while now and i'm worried that i shouldn't be running. I bought some Brooks running shoes from a shop that was recomended to me and they have been great so far but funnily enough since ive had them my knee has been playing up and ive just put it down to wear and tear on my joints i cant see it being the shoes. What do you think?

If you are new to running, it is generally some thing that will pass and you should be able to run through it.

 

[Stotty]

Yeh i went to good shop for running shoes as far as i know anyway, he had me doing a few squats and was looking at the arch of my foot is that a gait test. I tried on about 15 pairs of shoes and ended up with the ugliest ones but they have been great so far but i was just telling Granty that since ive had these running shoes my knee is a bit worse i dont know if its anything to do with it or not. I have been running a lot more recently as well so it could be that, the last thing i need now when the race is so close is to have to stop training.Let me know what you think.

 

[Stotty]

Do you think four months is still quite new to running then? That makes me feel a bit better thanks

 

[twinkle toes]

Yeh i went to good shop for running shoes as far as i know anyway, he had me doing a few squats and was looking at the arch of my foot is that a gait test. I tried on about 15 pairs of shoes and ended up with the ugliest ones but they have been great so far but i was just telling Granty that since ive had these running shoes my knee is a bit worse i dont know if its anything to do with it or not. I have been running a lot more recently as well so it could be that, the last thing i need now when the race is so close is to have to stop training.Let me know what you think.

The general rule of thumb is not to increase your mileage or time by more than 10% each week, so this will most probably explain your problem. Try and take it a bit easier as your main goal is to complete the race pain free... hopefully

 

[Stotty]

ok thanks for that

 

[Steady Edwina]

Stotty,
If you take Glucosomine Sulphate you will need to take 1500mg per day to see the benefits and I've been told it can take 3/4 weeks before you notice any difference.

Are you warming up before runs and do you stretch out afterwards. From the pain you have described its does sound a bit like runner's knee ( or patella femoral pain). This is when the knee cap rolls around in its little groove and causes a bit of inflamation. Ice your knees after the run and try anitinflammiteis either gels or tablets.

You may want to consider some kee strengthening exercises as well. These usually focus on the quads, hamstrings and glutes. Try sitting down on the floor rest your hands slightly behind you, flex your foot and raise leg slightly off floor then pulse your leg for 1 minute. Repeat on the other side.

 

[Dave]

I think SE is probably right about the runners knee.

It was a problem I had a while back ,and I found that a Patella brace helped.

So it may be worth a try.

This is the one I used.

http://www.runnersneed.co.uk/home/shopping/item.aspx?id=3919

I think you will find that they are easily available.

 

[Steady Edwina]

Have knock knees no stranger to knee pain Stotty

 

[Stotty]

I'm taking 2 1000mg tablets per day so hopefully that will do the trick, ive just been out tonite and its not so bad so far but i feel that i cant crouch down to play with the children coz my right knee joint hurts at the front and the back. How long should i stretch for after a run ive been doing what i used to do after a keep fit class maybe its not enough.

 

[Stotty]

thanks for that Dave i will try it

 

[Steady Edwina]

Stotty hold your stretces for about 30 seconds. Stretch quads, hamstrings, calves, glutes, hips (ITB) and your hip flexors.

 

[Stotty]

I picked myself up a patella brace today or i think thats what its called it looks bloody uncomfortable but will give it a go, ive now felt so bad today but i'll see how it goes.:d

 

[Stotty]

ive ran a few times with that brace on now and find that above my knee joint at the back feels quite tense is that right.