Blue Oatmeal

on January 21, 2009

in All Posts

Blue bowl, blueberries, and a few blue blackberries. 🙂

Which went perfect with the BLUE sky today!

Its actually chilly here (by Florida standards), but the sky is so crisp and clear. It’s lovely.

Wish I was running, not working!

My oatmeal was delish…. I love fresh fruit added to oatmeal. It gives it so much more flavor and natural sweetness.

Mmm mmm MMMM!

Knees, Knees

SO many of you write to me and tell me, "We have the same knee trouble!" It’s amazing how many young woman have crappy knees.

The Running Doc on Runner’s World was asked a knee-related question this week, and I wanted to share it with you!

My doctor says I have runner’s knee, but my therapist says it is patellar tendonitis. Is there a difference? She has done strengthening and electronic galvonic stimulation (EGS) on my patellar tendon until it doesn’t hurt and then I go back to running and I get pain again. This has happened on and off for two years. My doctor says I should stop running. Do you have another solution? – Tracy W., Seattle

The Running Doctor says: Tracy, I am so happy you wrote! You don’t need to stop running; you need to find a doctor who understands running injuries!

The patellar tendon is a tendon that comes from the four quad muscles of the thigh. It splits around the kneecap (patella) and forms a strong tendon again and inserts into the tibia. Sometimes it gets inflamed (tendonitis) due to its not pulling in a straight line (again biomechanical: overpronators at the bottom cause the mis-pulling above). Pain from running around the knee has been called runner’s knee including chondromalacia (roughing up of kneecap cartilage), ITB syndrome and Patellar tendonitis. I usually reserve the term runner’s knee for chondromalacia and call the others by their names; others use the "runner’s knee" for all, or even just call it anterior knee syndrome. All are equally correct. What counts is the way it is treated!

Yes, rest and strengthening along with EGS and physical therapy will get rid of the pain but not correcting the overpronation at the bottom will cause the pain to return. A full length flexible orthotic is what I think you are missing toward sustained pain free running. It doesn’t sound like you had that added to the equation for you.

As you all know, I wear Knee Sleeves, which really seem to help me. If you are having trouble with your knees, I would recommend them (and apparently, so does the Running Doctor)!

What body part are you most prone to injuring? Do you have any advice or tips for people who might have the same issue?

{ 32 comments }

VeggieGirl January 21, 2009, 7:12 am
It’s freaking 5Â°F here… I’m SO envious of your weather!! Enjoy it immensely for me, please.

Hang in there with your knees!!
Anonymous January 21, 2009, 7:29 am
I wonder if your knees will improve now that you have new shoes? Whenever my shoes get worm out (4-5 months with running about 20-25 miles a week) my knees will start aching and then I know it is time! You’ll have to keep us updated!
Hillary January 21, 2009, 7:30 am
Hi Caitlin,

I’m a long time “lurker” as Meghann would say!

Just wanted to tell you that I love love love your blog and your new blog name/concept is awesome. My Healthy tipping point is something that I have come to in the past month or so, and I’m glad that now I have something to call it!

Also- to comment on the knee issue- (I am studying athletic training at college) One of the reasons that women have such problems with their knees is because of their “Q-angle”- (basically, the angle formed by a line between mid-kneecap and the front tip of the hipbone). Women have a wider Q-angle than men due to our wider hips! This puts extra stress on our knees, especially patellar tendons. Just a little interesting fun fact about why women tend to have crappy knees.

Happy humpday!
Mica January 21, 2009, 7:31 am
What a beautiful morning! I second Veggie Girl–enjoy the nice weather for us, please!
Caitlin (see bride run) January 21, 2009, 7:31 am
anon – i hope so! unfortunately, my knee trouble is an actual physical condition within my knees (the cartilidge is wearing down). so although i think the new shoes will = more padding and thus = more comfort, they won’t replace my cartilidge. 🙁
Colleen January 21, 2009, 7:33 am
I was all bundled up this morning for my run…and I never did quite warm up (except maybe my core), when I came back I saw the temp was 15 degrees! I’m finally getting feeling in my face again…LOL

I have terrible shins. My solution? Stretch, stretch, stretch, and then stretch some more!

Squats are supposed to help bad knees by strengthening the muscles/tendons that stabilize them, but that’s all I know about that. I sure hope you find something that works for you!
Caitlin at Healthy Tipping Point January 21, 2009, 7:34 am
Hillary – thanks for delurking! i have also heard that women “arent built for running.” my friend actually blew out her knees because of her quads, as you describe. yikes!!
sara January 21, 2009, 7:39 am
i have runner’s knee too and I think it is soooo important finding the right doctor.
The first doctor I went to told me my knee was just a little swollen but no big deal, gave me some antiinflamatories and told me to keep running.

the second one told me everything about ITB, and suppination and really helped me get rid of the pain for good.
kirsten January 21, 2009, 7:47 am
Hi Caitlin, great post! I also have runner’s knee. Do you know where they sell full length flexible orthotics? or what they are exactly?

Thanks so much !!
brandi January 21, 2009, 7:47 am
That sky is gorgeous!

My right knee bothers me in BodyPump sometimes, but when running, it’s usually my right ankle.

After going to a real running store to get fitted for shoes a few months ago, I found out that my right ankle rolls a little when I’m walking / running, which really bothers me when running.

However- it’s SO much better with the right shoes.

If you have the option, definitely go to a place where they watch you walk and pick shoes that will work for your feet/legs and how your body works. It makes such a difference!
Caitlin at Healthy Tipping Point January 21, 2009, 7:52 am
kirsten – i *think* knee sleeves qualify as flexible orthotics, but i’m not a professional. if you search “knee sleeves” at rei.com, they also have an option for a longer sleeve, so that might be the “full lenth” kind.
Sarah W. January 21, 2009, 8:08 am
jealous of your blue sky!!!!
Katie January 21, 2009, 8:10 am
Blue sky? I'm extremely jealous. We haven't seen anything but grey here for weeks.

I'm most prone to knee & hip injuries. These started from the day I was born because my tendons are too long for my joints. Losing weight has really helped, but they still pop in and out of place at random.
Kristi January 21, 2009, 8:12 am
Caitlin I’m so jealous of that pretty sky with the palm trees! I want to live in Florida!!
megan January 21, 2009, 8:13 am
I hurt my ankle playing tennis over a year ago, and ever since then it has hurt off and on when I run. I generally just rest it for awhile when that happens, but I wonder if a different kind of shoe would help?
K January 21, 2009, 8:14 am
I love the blues! Unfortunately it’s more white/gray here!
sara January 21, 2009, 8:17 am
i’m prone to ankle and foot problems. i had chondromalacia in my ankle joint and was recommended surgery several years back. i think it is VERY important to replace your shoes when they get worn out … your body needs the new cushioning. i learned my lesson last year when i didn’t replace my shoes soon enough before the Chicago Marathon … i had to get out my old brace and run with it, which sucked because it alters my stride.
Sally January 21, 2009, 8:28 am
After quitting gymnastics my junior year of high school, my knees were one of the few body parts still in good shape. Then I blew out my left one three months later while pole vaulting. Ugh. I also have elbow, shoulder, and wrist problems.
fitforfree January 21, 2009, 8:32 am
I’m prone to bursitis in my heel because one of my legs is slightly longer than the other (apparently this is true for lots of people); if I make an effort to stretch out my hips, it seems to keep the bursitis at bay. Glad you found a way to help your knees!
Jamie and Craig January 21, 2009, 9:06 am
I am having an issue with my hip since crashing on my quad. I also have pain in the top of my right foot. When I point my toes up I get pain in what feels like a tendon? I am not sure what it is. I would love to know if anyone could tell me!
apluseating January 21, 2009, 9:16 am
im prone to ankle injuries mostly from playing soccer but i’ve had to wear ankle braces for the past 3 year to prevent injuries…
i also think that doing preventative exercises is especially important!
K January 21, 2009, 9:18 am
I struggle from ITB (Iliotibial Band) Syndrome from time to time.

I bought one of those foam rollers and let me tell you… it HURTS – no doubt – but it really puts the needed pressure on the ITB band to loosen and lengthen it. (I roll on my side – starting from my hip all the way down to just above my knee.)

It also works wonders on massaging a sore butt, hamstrings, quads, back, etc. I reccomend any regular exerciser get one!
Coley January 21, 2009, 9:21 am
I have had terrible hips since I was born. Instead of giving up certain activities, I decided to try to work through the pain and started seeing a chiropractor three days a week in addition to LOTS of stretching and listening to my body. Its a joint issue, so my chiro pops it back into place everytime I see him and I’m good for another run or two. I’ll always deal with it, but as long as I’m willing to give it a little TLC it’s managable. Better that what my physician recommended – giving it up!
bitesoflife January 21, 2009, 9:23 am
I have the opposite problem that most of you do, I have horrible shoulders! I injured them at a job a couple years ago, and they still ache, mainly from tendonitis. I have to be careful with weight training because too much I feel it! Nothing that a little ibuprofen can’t fix.
BOBBI McCORMICK January 21, 2009, 9:28 am
love the new blog name, so cute!!!
Marissa January 21, 2009, 9:36 am
My knees are my problem area. I went to physical therapy for 2 months and I use the same knee sleeves as you! I *LOVE* them!

I found using a foam roller helps and so does taking a break from running.
skinnyrunner January 21, 2009, 9:46 am
great post, love reading your blog.
the only injury i have been getting and it isn’t even an injury is a lot of blisters and black toenails. cute really. im just going to start running in high heels…
carolinebee January 21, 2009, 9:53 am
I clicked on your blog in my reader and had a momentary lapse, i’m like who is this?? 😀 Then I saw your lovely pics and running info and it came to me…good luck with the sleeves they’re way hot!
Mrs. LC January 21, 2009, 4:17 pm
I’d say it was more than chilly! With wind chill it was 24 degrees when I left this morning – I feel it’s safe to say that’s cold by anyone’s standards!
Red Head, Yellow Dog January 21, 2009, 4:36 pm
Beautiful blue skies! (and oatmeal!)

my hip always gives me trouble if I up my mileage too fast or don’t stretch it well.
ttfn300 January 21, 2009, 4:57 pm
my knees, fo sure. and also my left foot (somewhere between my heal and mid-foot).

for anyone having pain, search out someone who is a sports-specialist. you may need to try more than one (this is likely), but the right doctor can make all the difference. It took me over a year to find out that there was “nothing” wrong with my knees, the running I was doing was simply putting more stress on them than they were built for. I went to PT to strengthen muscles to stabilize the knee (and continue to do these), and have been able to manage my pain. Ask questions, and dont’ be afraid to ask for second opinions!
Melissa (NibblesAndWiggles) January 22, 2009, 6:25 pm
My major “injury” is IT Band Syndrome. It manifested itself on the outside of my right knee. It has sidelined me from really running for quite sometime. The best thing is to use a foam roller to roll out the side of your leg. I do this at the end of my workout each time. It’s helping…. but not fast enough! I miss running!

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