Questions for runners (with knee/joint pain)

[cool cat]

I recently have tried to start running again and have also started taking Glucosamine Chondroitin Complex to help with knee pain. It seems to be working, my past knee pains are almost non-existent.

My question is does this stuff just hide the knee pain and lead to further damage down the road or does it actually help out with the tendinitis or whatever the hell it is that always hurt my knee in the past?

[01WhiteCobra]

Originally posted by cool cat
I recently have tried to start running again and have also started taking Glucosamine Chondroitin Complex to help with knee pain. It seems to be working, my past knee pains are almost non-existent.

My question is does this stuff just hide the knee pain and lead to further damage down the road or does it actually help out with the tendinitis or whatever the hell it is that always hurt my knee in the past?

No, it doesn't hide anything, it just helps rebuild it. I use to eat it like candy. But, the thing is, is there a correctable bio-mechanical problem that could save you buying Glucosamine every month?

You may want to check out one of the Run On stores, http://www.runondallas.com , and let them fit a shoe for you.

I'm not affiliated with RunOn! one bit, except being a satisfied customer for many years.

I had some shoes fitted by them a few years back and haven't taken Glucosamine since.

[Marisa]

How do they fit a shoe, specifically?

My feet go numb when I run and it annoys the hell outta me. I've been thinking it might be my shoes. :confused:

[01WhiteCobra]

Originally posted by Marisa
How do they fit a shoe, specifically?

My feet go numb when I run and it annoys the hell outta me. I've been thinking it might be my shoes. :confused:

They don't necessarily "fit" the shoe with any mechanical/electronic/etc device.

They look at your foot, your gait, etc. and they know what shoe is proper for your particular biomechanical problem. The most (not all, but most) of the people working at Oshmans, Foot Locker, etc. don't have a clue. The people at Run On are all runners, the guy that owns it won the Dallas White Rock Marathon before.

Very few of us have "perfect" feet/legs. I'm flat footed and over pronate. There are specific shoes that take care of that problem (along with orthodics).

What happens usually, is people go into foot locker and buy the "cool" looking shoe to run in, without knowing what exactly the shoe was made for. Shoes are designed for specific foot structures.

They manufacture shoes for stability, motion control, cushioned, single density midsoles, highly cushoined, board lasted, etc.

In your case, my over the internet diagnosis, would be that your shoe is too small.

[Marisa]

Sweet - thanks for the info. I'll check them out.

And you'd think that my problem would be solved by purchasing larger shoes - but that doesn't help.... :confused: It's weird.

[01WhiteCobra]

Originally posted by Marisa
And you'd think that my problem would be solved by purchasing larger shoes - but that doesn't help.... :confused: It's weird.

Well, if it ain't the shoes, then you start opening open an entire can of worms from foot problems to spine problems.

I'd let them fit a shoe for you, make sure you tell them about the numbness when running. They can suggest a shoe + a way to lace that might alleviate the problem.

Personally, I need a wide toe box. The only manufacturers that create a wide toe box are New Balance, Saucony and Brooks. I also need a motion control shoe. Out of the universe of 1000s of models of running shoes, I'm compatible with about 10. :)

If that doesn't help the problem, then, unfortunately, you'll need to get some medical advice. I'd start with a podiatrist and then a chiropractor.

Chiro sounds wierd because its your feet going numb, but it could be nerves getting pinched or disks getting compressed when you are running. Usually, though, you'll feel some numbness/pain in the lower back, hip area if your back is the problem.

Good luck!