knee stiffness

[traveller]

Hi,
I hike quite a bit and have started taking jogging these days. I don't know if those are the reasons, but I started having problem with my knees a while ago. Tried using a good knee brace, not much help. For the past 1 month or so, I can feel my left knee(right knee is perfectly fine, God forbid) going stiff(even while driving). I do not have any other issues. I am normal weight & height and in my later 20's.

I have seen people suffering with arthritis. They are unable to do anything normal.
I am very concerned.

Can this be ok in exercises? Is this an issue with my calcium intake?

Experienced people, kindly advise.

[Kalio1]

Get it checked out by your doctor, stop running on it if the running makes it hurt. You are awfully young to be worrying about arthritis although I guess it does happen in rare cases,more likely it is some type of other issue caused by the new activities.Be careful of the surfaces you run/jog on and also use the best most supportive shoes. Bad shoes can make our knees hurt. Probably a little inflammation going on, the doc can check it out maybe get a look at it with a scan if it persists.Sometimes you can get a little fluid built up in there that can make it hurt later called water on the knee and they can drain that, is it swollen? In the meantime I'd try an over the counter antinflammatory for a week or so and see if that helps.

PS is you drink alcohol be sure you dont drink and take anti inflammatories at the same time..

[traveller]

Thanks.
I do not have swelling. And I am a vegetarian and do not drink.
I sure plan to chk up with my doc soon enough. Thanks. Thats a relief to know that there is a possibility it might not be arthritis.

thanks again.

[sk2006a]

the knees are tricky. it could be inflammation.  you might even consider seeing a physical therapist.  my daughter is a ballet dancer (six days each and every week), and her knees take a beating.  you could even have a problem with the outside of the knee developing stronger muscles than the inside.  it's common with athletes who use the same muscles over and over.  you might try finding an exercise which strenghtens your inside knee and inner thigh muscles, such as squeezing a ball between your knees and thighs.  that's what my daughter has to do, in addition to wearing custom orthodics.  good luck!