Hurt knee doing a lunge

I've gotten back into running recently, and read a lot about needing to do some strengthening exercises for your legs to avoid injury.

Today I tried some simple squats and lunges, but apparently my form was NOT right for the lunges, because on the 10th or so rep, I got a sudden, sharp pain in my right knee.  It was the knee in back of me, on the floor at the time.  I think I pushed off with that back leg to stand up.

After I stood up and walked around a bit, the pain changed to a "hot" pain.. hard to describe besides maybe searing pain.   I immediately took 2 advil and iced it for about 30 min. 

It's been about 7 hours, and the pain comes and goes, at varying intensities.  I can walk, but slowly to avoid any pain.  I took more pain meds and iced it again, and that seemed to help a little.

My question is.. has this happened to anyone else from doing a lunge, and am I just being paranoid and it will be better when I wake up tomorrow.. or could I have caused serious damage that will stop me from running??

I've never hurt my knee in that way, but I did tear my Plantaris tendon (in the back of my right calf) by simply turning on the ball of my foot too fast.  If it's still hurting that much when you wake up, DEFINITELY go to a DOCTOR.  In fact, if it's hurting so much that you have to take more Advil as soon as it wears off, you might consider going in to the ER tonight.

And may I recommend a Pilates machine. You won't get injuries on one. It was developed in 1922 by Joseph Pilates as a way to rehabilitate injured ballet dancers. And it WORKS. I've had mine for about 6 yrs. now and I use it every day. I got mine from QVC without a rebounder; but the ones that they're selling now come with a rebounder! They have them on sale about once every three months. Have you seen people work out on a Pilates machine? You do almost every exercise either sitting or lying down...even the rebounder! And your heart rate goes up even faster on a rebounder than it does on a treadmill! (As it would vs. running.) They say it's because your feet are higher than your heart.  Anyway...I can hardly WAIT to get my rebounder!  And the machine takes next to NO space to store. I keep it up against the wall in my living room and it takes half a minute to move it out to a workable position. I LOVE my Pilates machine!

Hi alpha..

Thank you so much for the quick response.  That was what I was really afraid to hear.   I am pretty low on funds, and I don't have health insurance, but I could certainly try out a pilates tape.   I am honestly kind of obsessed with running and am already beginning to get depressed thinking about not being able to run, so I hope it doesn't hurt in the morning.

Thanks again for your response :) 

Honestly don't wait to get it seen.  I tried to just walk off my injury and ended up with a frozen joint and leg I couldn't put weight on by the 3rd day.  I have a pretty high tolerance for pain and I'm stubborn but If I learned anything at all it's not to let an injury like this go.

Just saw you're low on funds, hospitals are usually pretty good at working with you.  I know ours here didn't give a hoot if I paid $5 a month when I HAD to get seen (allergic reaction) just so long as Something was moving in payoff on the account.  A lot of them have foundations (or somesuch) that help people with no insurance pay too from what I have been told.  Or if you have a clinic that does sliding scale care?  You'll have to pay something but again it's based on income and I know they do try to work with people, at least here.

I feel like kind of a dolt for hurting my knee so badly doing a freakin lunge.   I guess I'll see how it is tomorrow.. if it still hurts I will go to a clinic and see if they can help me out at all.

Sorry both of you had those injuries.. I hope you are feeling better now.

Thanks again guys I really appreciate your help!

Aww don't feel like that!  I hurt mine getting up from changing printer paper at work.  yep. seriously.  I was all set for a half iron man a few weeks later so I was in peak shape and I go out by way of lexmark printer!  I'm fine now and back to running so all ended up well in the end =)

Holy cow!  Well it goes to show how complicated our biomechanics are.  I'm glad you're back to running!   I'm in denial right now and totally sure when I wake up my knee is not going to hurt anymore.  I will heed your advice though, if it hurts I'm going to find a way to get it taken care of :)

Original Post by andi8983:

Hi alpha..

 

Thank you so much for the quick response.  That was what I was really afraid to hear.   I am pretty low on funds, and I don't have health insurance, but I could certainly try out a pilates tape.   I am honestly kind of obsessed with running and am already beginning to get depressed thinking about not being able to run, so I hope it doesn't hurt in the morning.

Thanks again for your response :) 

 You're very welcome, andi.  But ladydeuce is right...if it hurts SO much that you can't sleep, get thee to the ER!  And I understand the obsession with running.  I was obsessed with running, aerobics and weight training for YEARS. But it's HIGH impact...and, in the long run, it's not good for your joints, your back, OR your boobs!  Check out the Pilates shows on QVC.  The new machines are under $300 and they have them on a five-payment plan, usually. When they have them on the shows, they're always on sale.