Is pain on the outside of my right knee, when i run heel-to-toe, possibly a ligament tear? this pain is aggravated mostly when i run heel-to-to. the pain is sort of a sharp stab with each pound of the heel making it difficult, if not impossible, to contin

Hello: Your : Hello: your symptoms may be a result of a ligament tear, if it is giving your knee laxity and with every step you run the looseness makes your knee open up a little bit which then further stretches the compromised ligament. However, three other causes are more common unless you have a history of ligament injury already: it band friction syndrome, lateral meniscal tear, or degenerative joint disease. This is a fairly straight-forward evaluation if you visit your orthopedic doctor, as the location of the pain, other examination findings, and simple x-rays can provide plenty of information for diagnosis. If a meniscal tear is suspected an MRI may be very helpful. If this pain is limiting your running and making your ability to do other things difficult, you should definitely have your knee evaluated. You may be saving your knee from damages that are not easily reversed! hope this is helpful. Sincerely, jim hsu, md seattle, wa.

Evaluation: The knee needs to be evaluated by a specialist. If the symptoms cannot be reproduced, a gait exam, x-ray would be recommended.