Painful Knees

[chantellehugs]

Whenever I've been out walking for a long time, or I've done really intense exercise, my knees hurt quite a lot and ache. Whenever this happens I apply deep heat rub before I go to sleep and by the morning I'm fine, is this just because I've done too much exercise, because thinking about it now, I don't stretch or anything beforehand. My mum said it might be arthritis but the only 'symptom' I have is aching knees, which I'm sure could be caused by lots of things...
Should I go to the doctors or just make sure I do my morning stretches before I go out, because whenever I go out I end up walking quite a lot.

[Shar]

If its been hurting for quite a while it may be a good idea to visit your GP just to be on the safe side.

[Shoe]

Stretching in the mornings may help as it will increase flexibility. Doing exercises to improve the strength of the ligaments may also help you minimize the pain your in. Swimming is always good as it will put no pressure on the knee.
Also deep heat rub doesn't really do a lot to the muscle or ligaments meaning it probably isn't doing much, though by all means keep using it because it is making your knees feel better (unless its just the effect of rest and no bearing pressure on the knee over night of course)
I would go and see a doctor though if it keeps happening. You may be referred to a physio who will im sure be able to sort out your problem.

[chantellehugs]

This point makes complete sense, specially as I'm applying the deep heat right before I go to sleep. It's been 2 days since it's happened and I haven't walked any long distances, however I'll still make the appointment just in case. Thank you!

Stretching in the mornings may help as it will increase flexibility. Doing exercises to improve the strength of the ligaments may also help you minimize the pain your in. Swimming is always good as it will put no pressure on the knee.
Also deep heat rub doesn't really do a lot to the muscle or ligaments meaning it probably isn't doing much, though by all means keep using it because it is making your knees feel better (unless its just the effect of rest and no bearing pressure on the knee over night of course)
I would go and see a doctor though if it keeps happening. You may be referred to a physio who will im sure be able to sort out your problem.

Yeah it's better to be safe rather than sorry, sometimes I just worry about going to the doctors just in case he confirms something I've been dreading, but obviously the sooner I face up to it the sooner I can get help Thanks!

If its been hurting for quite a while it may be a good idea to visit your GP just to be on the safe side.