So, I’ve suffered with ITBS for my entire triathlon career (this is year 4). This season I really cut back my volume and I’m listening to my body much better than I was before so things are getting better. My right knee is still tender BUT it’s not because of weight bearing issues. That is, the knee doesn’t hurt when it’s hammering the pedals or dropping 5:30 miles. It just hurts to bend. It actually hurts more when I flex the knee without weight on it than when I’m running or biking.
The pain is on the lateral side of the right knee, exactly where my ITBS hurt last season. But this season, it hasn’t hurt when I run or when I bike. However, if I squat down to the ground (to use the poppy-pot perhaps), it gets pretty aggravated.
So, what’s the deal? Is it just lingering irritation? I’ve been pretty consistent in icing it every day. I stretch and roll. Again, it doesn’t hurt to bike or run. But it does hurt to bend (sometimes). Is this enough information to make a ST diagnosis?
ETA: a Snickers (or Snickers Marathon) Bar to the person who gives me the best advice/diagnosis. Compared to the PT bills I’m (still) paying, it’s a helluva lot cheaper.
Possibly lateral epicondylitis. Inflammation, especially in connective tissue takes a very long time to subside sometimes, so perhaps lingering inflammation, if you can give any more info it may help.
ok, so when I’m doing squats, if my knees are forward (above my toes) I can’t feel anything. If I bring my butt (and knees) back, I can definitely feel a pinch. It kinda seems like it may be a hammy tendon? It’s so weird, when it hurts, it hurts in a specific area. But when I’m trying to figure out exactly where that is, it feels very nebulous.
Strange.
Anywho, I’m at work but took some quick pics. Again, although I’m pointing, it’s not exactly where my finger is leading.
Some of your pictures appear to be pointing at the epicondlye of the knee, does bending hurt if you move the leg while completely relaxed with your arm? Press on the outside of te knee with your finger or fingers, does it hurt? Do you feel any snapping during this? The first picture you seem to be pointing to the insertion of te biceps femoris to the fibula.
I could fix that, but my office is in St. Chalres, MO. Try and find a sports massage therapist who will do several 15-20min sessions on your IT/Quad/Hams. Don’t expect it to take 1 session, it will take a minimum of 4 over the course of a month. Good luck.
As a 1st year med student (almost done!), I’m not qualified to make a sound decision on that, but OMM (osteopathic manipulative medicine) could treat either the fascia or tendinous issues. Massage therapy can break up accumulated fascial tissue.
based on your history of ITBS, I’m going to go with ITBS. You are sort of pointing to Gerdy’s tubercle which is where the IT band inserts.
Agreed, except your first picture is looks like you are pointing to the fibular head. That is where the biceps femoris attaches and is a potential site of ensethopathy.
hmm…1st and 3rd pics look like fibular head now that I look more closely. Has your hip flexion or knee extension range of motion decreased lately?
No lack of flexibility so far as I know. I recently (month ago?) put on an Adamo but that should increase flexibility? Beyond that - no big changes. I’m manipulating my leg while seated - there is some tenderness while moving it with my arms.
Should I self manipulate the area? Some self-massage and then ice? I’ve always been very scared to rub/massage sore spots.
