Jogging/running with bad knees...how do you do it?

I used to jog pretty often (about 20 miles a week) but after doing this for 2 years or so I started to have problems with my knees. My doctor told me that it is because my knee caps do not slide in their grooves--I think he called it Patellar displacement--it is painful, and I don't like it! Anyway I had to stop running and start physical therapy, that got too expensive $30 co-pay 3 times a week--I had to quit!

Three years later I still have some problems with my knees but I want to start jogging again...so I was wondering if anyone has problems with their knees and do you still jog? I was considering getting knee braces from CVS, but is it worth it? I have a super pair of running shoes that I just bought, I also have orthotics (made by my doctor to help keep my knees aligned) that I can use. Any other suggestions? I really hope that I can start jogging again without any problems...jogging gave me the best workout I have ever gotten. Thanks for all your help!

I don't know if you want to do this, but you could try power walking.  It is a lot less stressful on the knees.  It has been giving me a pretty good workout.

If I had bad knees or had a previous bad injury I would not be running.

I would power walk... and if that wasn't enough I'd use some 1 to 2 pound free weights to help get my heart into the fat burning zone.

If you want to go into it gung ho anway, try to limit yourself to 35min and do one of the interval running programs that build you up to running.   The Learning to Run program here is what I used.   IF you just start seriously running again even with knee braces and new shoes and so on you could very easily hurt your knees again.   So if you insist on trying this... then do the Learning to Run thread's program that deejlb has going and at the first sign of knee pain..  stop.

I'm not sure it's such a great idea to jog/run if you have knee pain. If the pain is caused by something other than overuse/injury, then it's probably a permanent thing - and running will just aggrevate it. You might try something low impact, like the elliptical trainer. I find I get a similar workout (increased heartrate, good sweat etc.) and the motion of the trainer is much more gentle on your joints.

I have flat feet and I really like the eliptical over the treadmill.  I can last almost 3-5 times longer because of the low impact.

Did you ever ask the physical therapist or your orthopeidic doctor if you could go running?  I understand about the money for the physical therapist.  When I started having knee problems I went to the physical therapist once.  I memorized the excerises coupled with exercises from internet searches and recommendations from those at the specialty running store that had the same problem.  Together with new running shoes I am fine.  Though problems happen every now and then when I work too hard.  Start out slow and if it hurts...stop.  And again if you have questions ask your doctor.  It took me a year to run again and it was when I finally bought the right running shoes and strenghten the right muscles that did the trick.  I had a different problem than you though (Iliotibial band syndrome).  From a quick internet search it looks like you should strenghten your quads.  here is more information   I think you should be able to run again but if your knees are hurting without running I wouldnt start running. 

Thanks so much guys, you have given me some great tips.

I knew an older gentleman who use to love love love running.  But the doc said he was going to have to have both knees replaced.  So he switched to biking and rollerblading and never looked back.  he is know 64 and still participates in bike and rollerblading marathons.  Running is hard on the body, it might just be time to find another hobby.  Serious biking can be awesome and rollerblading is super fun.

Oh and my friend never had to get knee replacements after he switched from running.