So my self prognosis was close, I don’t have runner’s knee, I have jumper’s knee.  It makes sense, even though I am a runner, I used to be a jumper when I was in the 82nd Airborne Division.  My knee was X-rayed and examined by an Orthopedic doctor who specializes in sports medicine.  He said he had dealt with a lot of runners and he seemed to know what he was talking about.  The thing that makes me the most confident in his prognosis though is that he listened.  Before he said anything he listened to my problem, asked me how I was feeling, and what kind of activities I had been doing before even touching my knee.  Anyone can go to school for years, memorize all sorts of facts, take out student loans, make decisions that affect other people’s health, and wear long white coats but it takes a true genius to listen.  More importantly, listen to me, I’ve got so much great stuff to say!  Wait.  If it takes a genius to listen, but I have important things to say…Here’s what Jumper’s Knee is all about:

Jumper’s Knee, or Patellar Tendonitis for you scientists types, is the inflammation to the band of tissue that connects the knee cap to the shin bone.  Otherwise known as that long, skin colored piece on the right in the picture above going over the knee cap.  Jumper’s Knee can be developed from a number of repeated activities such as jumping (also see trampoline knee), running, walking, or bicycling.  Also, some people may develop jumper’s knee who have problems with the way their hips, legs, knees, or feet align.

Some of the symptoms of jumper’s knee include pain and tenderness around the patellar tendon, swelling in knee joint, pain with jumping or running, pain with bending or straightening the leg, or tenderness in the knee-cap.  I personally have three of these five symptoms.  The main symptom that lead me to go to the doctor, my knee giving out on an easy run, the doctor said is not a symptom usually seen in Jumper’s Knee.  Go figure.  This brings me back to knowing your body.  No two people’s symptoms are the same, even for the same injury, so no matter what, it takes some self-prognosis or self-awareness.

Click here to learn more about the treatment and prevention of jumper’s knee.  Overall, the doctor gave me clearance to begin running again which if nothing else, gives me the confidence to get back out there and run without severely injuring myself.  I’m going to take it easy, do some swimming and stationary bike to supplement my running.  I want nothing more than to lace up and run 20 miles right now but I have to hold myself back.  I will also be doing some physical therapy twice a week for 4 weeks which should help.  Before I start a training plan, I will be testing my knee this long weekend on a trail running trip and running a fun 5K in Raleigh, NC called the Skirt Chasers.  You’re lucky I have a bum knee ladies.

So as I sit here, not running, resting, waiting for my doctor’s appointment I decided to take matters into my own hands, by self-prognosis.  Nothing against doctors, they obviously have a greater understanding of the human body than I do, but I have a greater understanding of my individual body than they do.  The doctor is probably going to write down my symptoms and Google them anyways.  Why not I do it myself?  I know everything Google knows.  The prognosis?  I have runner’s knee (makes sense).  I am going to a specialist doctor on Monday to confirm.  When I do, I’m going to act like I’ve never heard of the Internet.  I don’t want to offend the delicate genius.  Here’s the deal on Runner’s Knee:

Runner’s knee is also called chondromalacia patellan which is a general term indicating cartilage under the knee cap.  Some of the symptoms are:  if your knee hurts walking up stairs, hurts when sitting for long periods of time, or when you kneel on one knee (my knee hurts just thinking about someone telling me to ‘take a knee’).  It often affects young, otherwise healthy athletes, usually more so in women.  Also runners with knock-knees or flat feet are more susceptible to getting runner’s knee.  Also, really cool and radical individuals are susceptible to runner’s knee.  I’ll let you guess which category I fall in.

Runners with chondromalacia patella have abnormal patellar tracking toward the outer side of the fermur.  This off-kilter pathway creates friction in the undersurface which causes inflammation.  In order words, the deep cartilage in the knees is getting worn, leading to the bones in the joint to rub against each other more.  These changes in the deepest layers of cartilage cause blistering on the surface cartilage, giving runners the discomfort.

Don’t fret (I’m not) this condition is capable of repair.  When you feel the first signs of runner’s knee you need to rest and ice your knees.  Genius.  If this doesn’t work go see your doctor.  You may need to adhere to some physical therapy to built the cartilage back up in your knees.  You’re doctor has a brochure showing you how to do this.  In the worse cases surgery may be needed for definitive treatment.

We’ll see how it goes for me on Monday but until then I’ll continue to do what the doctor is more than likely going to tell me to do for treatment anyway, rest.  Doctors are experts and serve a purpose but no one knows your body like you do.  You just have to ‘Listen to Your Heart’ when you’re ‘Runnin’ Down a Dream’ even though ‘The Waiting is the Hardest Part.’  Thanks Tom.