I saw the doctor today. They took some x-rays of both knees and it seems that my knee caps are not tracking properly. It seems that I have Patellafemoral Syndrome. From what I can tell, this is simply Runner’s Knee. The docotor tested my left knee to see if I had an IT band problem, but the test he did was negative. I don’t think he knows what is causing the pain on the outside of my left knee.

He prescribed an anti-inflammatory drug called Etodolac which I’m to take twice a day.  He also told me to ice my knees after running. He wants me to do physical therapy for 2-4 weeks.

This whole experience has been rather disappointing. I don’t even know if I’m going to bother with the physical therapy. Except for the x-rays showing my knee caps not tracking, he didn’t tell me anything I didn’t already know. I know my patellas were getting inflamed. I was hoping he had a solution.

It seems though that a solution is just going to be a bunch of trial-and-error. Exactly what I was hoping to avoid by visiting a doctor.

Someone on a running forum suggested seeing a podiatrist to see if orthotics would help. He too was referred to physical therapy, but he decided to see a podiatrist first and he got orthortics which eliminated his pain within 2 weeks.

The other disappointment is that while the doctor could explain the pain below my knee caps, he coulnd’t explain the pain on the outside of my left knee.

Posted by derek in Injury