Q+A: A road camber is giving me knee pain... Help!
Our experts answer real-life questions
Posted: 9 September 2000
by Martin Haines
Q I used to train on grass and gravel, but since I’ve started running on the edge of the road I’ve noticed that the knee closest to the road as I run becomes sore. I can run through it, but afterwards I’m left with a dull ache in the knee, which becomes really painful when I undertake activities that involve turning or sideways movements. I’ve set my sights on a half-marathon later this year, and I’m worried that several weeks off will put me back to square one.
A Most roads have a camber, which effectively makes the leg nearest to the middle of the road ‘longer’. The body naturally compensates for this by trying to shorten the leg to reduce the pressure on your body, in particular your back. In your case the compensation seems to be at the knee, which is bending to shorten the leg, and at the same time your foot will also flatten more than usual. As the knee bends more, it also tends to rotate inwards. This puts pressure on the medial ligament on the inside of the knee, which can become damaged. The problem is further compounded by the fact that this ligament attaches to the cartilage (or meniscus) on the inside of the knee, and when damaged can increase the pressure on the cartilage. The group of tendons on the inside of the knee will also become overloaded, and will become inflamed and tender.
The best way to manage this on your own is to avoid running consistently on a camber and revert to your original type of terrain. As for treatment, ice and massage will help with the aching symptoms. Of course, if this proves to be unsatisfactory, you’ll need to see a specialist physiotherapist in running injuries.
—Martin Haines, chartered physiotherapist and sports-injury specialist
Discuss this story
Definitely, definitely stop, since it was bad enough to make you stop and walk. I tried running through it and did a heap of damage - it can take weeks or months for the inflammation to subside properly if you've mangled it good and proper, and I'm pretty sure there is a residual scarring issue. The shoes/gait thing is very important - go to a sports physio for advice.
Mind you, these days, with proper shoes, I get the odd ITB niggle which I do run through, but I really wouldn't notice if I weren't paranoid about it.
This link gives some excellent advice.
Posted: 21/04/2003 09:12
I had a b ad case of ITBS related to cycling a few years ago, but since the Henley 1/2 M I've had an on/off pain on the outside of my knee that doesn't feel the same at all. It's most noticeable going down stairs and seemed to wear off, only to come back after an easy pace 8 mile a week after Henley. Henley has some cruelly steep downhill sections and I'm convinced I've got a lateral problem after some over fast corners on a camber. I always do ITBS stretches since the cycling injury kept me out for 3 months, so I don't think it's ITBS. Having unsuccessfully tried to run through it, I'm going to rest and talk to my osteopath on my next visit, but lateral ligaments sounds like a promising diagnosis John. Maybe follow RICE and HARM (avoiding heat, alcohol, running and massage) in the meantime, with the exception of massage on the quads to help in case it is ITBS.
Posted: 22/10/2007 11:18
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