knee problem

[aci20]

Yep, I'm a runner, Chris, and we know ITBS! I had a year out at one point, but it can clear up in a couple of weeks or so. A couple of points:

Any sports physio who has dealt with runners should spot ITBS in an instant; makes me wonder a bit how it hasn't been spotted if it is ITBS. I'd be happier if you got an expert's diagnosis on it.

Better footwear - yes, very often the only cause is knackered footwear, but everyone's different, and you need the better footwear to be the right footwear. The chances are (taking a wild guess) that you need some pronation control, to limit the rolling of the foot inwards during the gait cycle, but, as I as said, everyone's different, and a competent physio or a podiatrist (hopefully not the incompetent podiatrist I went to!) should be able to assess any gait issues. It is incredibly valuable to know why you're getting the problem - I wasted forever trying things out from the web, but got much, much more insight the first time I took it to a competent physio who looked at my gait and muscle imbalances.

The IT band has a very poor blood supply, and so it takes a relatively long time to heal. be wary of trying it out - if you're getting pain, you need to stop the activity straight away, and find something (cycling, maybe?) that doesn't irritate it.

IT band stretches; well, they're very easy indeed and you ought to give them a go. Standing up, cross your legs with the affected leg behind the unaffected one. Whilst putting more weight on the affected leg, lean sideways towards the unaffected side. Eventually you will feel a tightness/pulling at your hip. You're not going to feel anything much at the knee - this can lead you to think that you're doing it wrong - you're not.

Finally, it really isn't simply about a tightening of the IT band; your body is a very complicated system of muscle groups and levers, and everything has a knock-on effect on everything else. The trouble can originate from low arches, weak abductors, glutes or hamstrings, a back problem or a whole lot of other things. You could have the slackest IT band in the world and still get trouble if (say) you're over-pronating and your lower leg twists while you walk.

Yes, there's a good chance it'll clear up with rest and new shoes, but there's also a good chance that it'll recur if the root cause isn't addressed. Happily, decent shoes are the closest thing to a miracle cure that you'll get!

Anyway, good luck with it, and have a good, un-problematic trip.

[ChrisJB]

Thanks again Aci (and everyone else who has given advice and encouragement on this thread). One other thing, if I do go to a sports physio, will my doc' refer me and will it be on the NHS, or do I have to go private and if so what roughly can I expect to pay?

Regards, Chris

[outdoors]

chris,i paid 20 pounds, for 15 minutes..they are not cheap

[aci20]

I think it'll depend on your doctor and on the local NHS resources. You might be lucky and have a walk-in session at your local hospital, but very unlikely. And most GPs will say rest, take some ibuprofen and come back in a few weeks if it hasn't improved. As a rule of thumb, you're generally best off going to a private physio to save time. £25-£40 for half an hour, maybe? Best to get a recommendation if you can, but otherwise go to one who emphasises sport injuries on their advertising.

[Kayleigh]

Some Dr's are rubbish. I have a known bowel condition (crohns). Last week Tuesday 25th. I couldn't eat without severe pain in my stomach. I am loosing weight at an alarming rate 1lb a day. I had a telephone consultation. She said go into see her. I asked to see me consultant at the hospital she didn't refer me she just upped my meds that don't work and told me to go back next week.
I got worse so phoned back spoke to a different Dr got a referral straight away and I have to go tomorrow to see my consultant.

Keep going back if you get no joy..

[Pete Collins]

Originally Posted by Kayleigh

Some Dr's are rubbish. I have a known bowel condition (crohns). Last week Tuesday 25th. I couldn't eat without severe pain in my stomach. I am loosing weight at an alarming rate 1lb a day. I had a telephone consultation. She said go into see her. I asked to see me consultant at the hospital she didn't refer me she just upped my meds that don't work and told me to go back next week.
I got worse so phoned back spoke to a different Dr got a referral straight away and I have to go tomorrow to see my consultant.

Keep going back if you get no joy..

I do hope your consultant manages to sort things out for you very quickly, Kayleigh.

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by Pete Collins

I do hope your consultant manages to sort things out for you very quickly, Kayleigh.

Thank you.

[ChrisJB]

Originally Posted by Kayleigh

Some Dr's are rubbish. I have a known bowel condition (crohns). Last week Tuesday 25th. I couldn't eat without severe pain in my stomach. I am loosing weight at an alarming rate 1lb a day. I had a telephone consultation. She said go into see her. I asked to see me consultant at the hospital she didn't refer me she just upped my meds that don't work and told me to go back next week.
I got worse so phoned back spoke to a different Dr got a referral straight away and I have to go tomorrow to see my consultant.

Keep going back if you get no joy..

A mate of mine has Crohns Disease. I hope you get yourself sorted out.
Concerning the knee, I've put it to the test this week with a couple of walks in the Yorkshire Dales and the Peak District, not Helvellyn I know, but I came through the walks totally pain free! I wasn't taking any chances and had my new sturdier boots, plus I took a strong anti-inflammatory before each walk and did a few stretches as well. I also didn't 'fire off' up the steep bits like I usually do (the missus was glad!). I'm not saying I am fit to bag a new Munro yet, but I am off to Skye in August and hopefully if I keep to tamer walks between now and then, I might be okay.
Aci, thanks to your words of wisdom, you have been officially appointed the WAB god of knees.

Regards, Chris

[Kayleigh]

Hi Chris, Glad you are enjoying your walking again pain free..Don't over do it before your holiday.

The consultant said I have a big infection. He prescribed two lots of antibiotics and I have to go back in 3 weeks..I feel better now...

Anyway I don't want to go off topic so enough said.

[ChrisJB]

I climbed Kinder Scout from Edale on Sunday and apart from a couple of twinges in the knee (I stopped and did a couple of stretches), it went okay. There was a steep bit up to Grindslow Knoll and a very steep descent down Crowden Clough, but they didn't cause any significant troubles.

Regards, Chris

[Pete Collins]

Glad it went well, Chris. I hope your knee is now well on the way to being fully recovered.

[richardkm]

Originally Posted by galanthus

Same happened to other half. Really poorly back, went to chiropractor, turns out he had flat feet and one leg slightly longer, had to wear specially made insoles in shoes. Back is great now.

You're certainly gullible if you go to a chiropractor!!!!!

[ChrisJB]

Originally Posted by Pete Collins

Glad it went well, Chris. I hope your knee is now well on the way to being fully recovered.

So far so good Pete. But it is a tricky one. As I have been quite anxious about it, I have been sorely tempted to keep pushing it a bit to check just how it is going, but at the same time I want to rest it to be on the safe side.

Decisions, decisions!

Regards, Chris