Posts: 15,935
1/8/12 6:21 P

I'm glad you figured out what the cause was and are able to repair the injury. Hope you feel better soon. Take care of yourself.

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Posts: 4,163
1/8/12 6:01 P

Thank you all for your help. When I started back to work I wore the same shoes and after 4 days of just normal activity, the problem returned. I rested and felt ok again but one step out of the house (up a stair) last Tuesday and I heard and felt a huge "pop". I went to a specialist the same day. An MRI showed I have a very large tear in the meniscus which will need surgery. Surgery will be arthroscopic and recovery should be fairly quick but, for two more days I'm to remain inactive. No brainer there, since I can't really walk but I have gotten pretty good with the cane so I can get to the BR without much discomfort.

It was likely the "bouncy" shoes that put extra stress on my knee (and my right leg is the dominant) so, I'll start walking again after surgery but no more "bouncy" shoes.

Edited by: GETMOVIN at: 1/8/2012 (18:04)

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Posts: 56
12/14/11 8:00 P

I made the same mistake you did. I enjoyed the walk so much that I tried to improve my time and a little run in. My knees started giving me sharp pains in lower front area, especially if going slightly down hill. A knee surgeon gave me exercises to do years ago and I've added a few of my own. Sitting. rest knee on rolled towel, flex and stretch toes
and lift feet off ground. Standing. walk for three minutes with toes in air; curl toes under, count to 6 slow, stand on toes count to six. six times each side. this helps to realign knees. Good luck.

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Posts: 4,163
12/11/11 7:12 A

I have rested my knee (and other joints) and done a fair amount of "water therapy" (floating and gently exercising in a swimming pool) this week while I am on vaction. Everything is back to normal. I do think I had a bursitis from going from minimal walking to 2-5 miles five times a week. I was loving it but I didn't give my body (which may have other issues) time to get used to it.
I will start again and this time I will actually follow the plan instead of trying to be so clever and do "better".
Thanks for all your advice. It really nice to know I'm not in this alone.

Posts: 4,163
12/6/11 6:56 A

Thank you to everyone for the advice. I am beginning to suspect it is not an overuse injury. I have been resting and it is not much improved. It also does not appear to be worse when I do walk but can actually feels better.
Yesterday, after a day in the sun, I noticed I was starting to have similar discomfort in my other knee. I began to reflect on other symptoms I have had over the last 15 years (that come and go) and now suspect that I may have some sort of systemic disorder. I did have a work-up by my doctor two years ago that turned up nothing, so it may be one of those "rule everything else out problems".
After another day of rest I will probably take Dave's advice to see what happens. Apart from the discomfort I was very happy when I was walking. Now I'm not feeling very happy.

Posts: 15,935
12/5/11 2:35 P

Listen to your body. Take it easy. Take shorter walks and do other things to strengthen your body.

Losing weight always helps. Sudden increase in mileage can cause the problem. Start out slowly and take it easy. Perhaps slowing down the walk will help.

It is possible to have other problems you need to see your orthopedist, but slowing down and listening to your body can tell you if it is an overuse injury.

I agree that it probably is not your shoes unless they are the ones meant to improve tone (shapeups, etc) and they can be hard on knees.

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12/5/11 2:12 P

I went thru what you are and my doc told me to take something for the pain. I did and kept walking and it passed

Posts: 1,715
12/4/11 7:12 P

i totally feel for you; my right knee was giving me fits and my doctor told me (after tests) that i would probably feel a lot better if i lost some weight...he recommended five pounds and i am now going for that goal

Posts: 3,209
12/4/11 4:43 P

To tell if it is tendonitis or bursitis you should go see a sports orthopedist. There are a lot of different knee issues that mimic this type of problem.

I doubt the shoes are the issue unless they are not they correct type for your gait. Head to a running shoe store and have them analyze your gait.

Strengthing your quads and hamstrings as well as doing both static and dynamic stretching will help your knee. Checkout this link to a LiveStrong page ... www.livestrong.com/article/411241-exercise
s-for-pes-anserinus-tendinitis/

Keep walking, just drop back on intensity/distance until you feel better.

Janet

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12/4/11 2:46 P

I just finished my 5K walking program and I was planning to move on to the 5K walk/job program but one of my knees has been bothering me. My husband suggested it is a bursitis problem and to prove him wrong I went online to look up the symptoms. It turns out I may have developed a type of bursitis I didn't know about. The name is unusual - something like "pes anserus". Anyway, based on the descriptions I read, it sounds exactly like what I have. One of the causes is obesity another a sudden increase in milage...yep, that sounds right. Anyway, I am treating myself with rest, ice, and anti-inflammatory agents. Bummer!
I was really starting to get into the walking. I actually walked much more than the 5K program suggested - gues that's why. Obviously, I need to lose weight! But I dislike exercise so much and walking was really meeting that need.
Anyone have any advice or words of encouragement?

I had another thought and I would like your input. Before I started the walking program I bought a new pair of light running shoes. They are nice and bouncy and added to my enjoyment of walking. Do you think the "bounce" could have added to this injury?