Self-Diagnoses
I have been consistently running for a while now. I didn't have a lot of time during school to exercise regularly, unfortunately. But when I graduated last May, I immediately started getting myself into better shape. I usually run 4-5 times per week now, even in the freezing cold weather!
Anyway... I have recently started to get some bilateral knee pain during my running. Dull, aching pain. If I had to pinpoint an exact location, I would say medial-inferior patellar surface. It doesn't stop me from running, but is noticeable with some runs. Other times, no pain. The worst I would rank it is a 2/10. (10 = ER pain, 0 = no pain.) Right knee is sometimes worse than left, but otherwise the irritation is equal. So, I should be able to diagnose myself, right? My two guesses are that I either need new shoes (although in terms of mileage mine are okay), or IT band syndrome.
There was a time last spring I ran over some melting ice and pebbles of salt. I completely wiped out. I had bloody gravel in my hand and over my left trunk/hip. I sprained my ankle during that run, and a few days later I was back to running after some RICE treatment and a nice ace bandage.
Regardless of the cause or diagnoses, this raises an interesting question about self-treatment, or self-diagnoses. I think it depends on the situation. Milder causes with exact causes can often be treated independently in a short period of time. More difficult cases with multiple possible factors may need some assistance in treating.
What do you think? Have you ever treated yourself for an ortho problem, or asked a coworker for help?