Advice on troublesome knee pain / supports etc

Gamesnash.ie: Pat

Hi guys,

Not that I am substituting boards.ie replies for medical advice but I'm wondering if this rings a bell with anyone. I'm currently on a weight loss / fitness drive and began running about 4 months ago. About 6 weeks ago I felt a sharp pain in my right knee and had to stop. Knee was very sore for couple of days but then was fine. Gave it a few more days to heal before trying to run again. Started to run and everything was fine for 2k and then I felt the pain building up again. Stopped running and pain went away straight away. Left it a week before attempting to run again this time with a bandage type knee support but broke down again after 3k. This has repeated itself a couple of times since.

Basically my knee is capable of running for 2k - 3k before pain starts building up and builds steadily - if I stop to walk for a bit it subsides straight away to a point I could run again for another while before the pattern repeats itself. The pain occurs literally at the point where my weight is coming off the knee in the run / pushing off the ground. The pain itself is in my right knee and seems to be to the right of the hollow in the knee and behind the bone there. I'm assuming it's a muscle / ligament that is causing the grief.

Would this be a common injury amongst athletes and is there a specific period of rest that I have not adhered to. I'm due to run the 5 mile race in the phoenix park in a few weeks and don't want to miss it but if this is something that needs a longer rest period than a week or two then so be it. Again not seeking professional medical advice as such but just anyone with any similar experience ??

Thanks in advance,

**Mod edit- this is far too specific to be looking for general advice. Better that you go to a physio rather than relying on your own assumptions or general internet diagnosis**