Runner’s Knee Prevention and Treatment Options to Carry You to the Finish Line

Runner’s knee is a painful condition that affects many athletes. Learn about causes, symptoms, prevention measures, and treatment options for runner's knee.

A dull ache in the front of the knee while running, is a key symptom of a condition popularly as “runner's knee” (it’ official name is patellofemoral pain syndrome). Many runners experience the early-stage pain of runner's knee without realizing they are suffering from a particular condition. The tendency of the symptoms of runner's knee to heighten during activity and dull during inactivity, unfortunately, causes many athletes to disregard the issue they are experiencing.

Simple changes to your training technique and routine - as well as physical therapy exercises - can serve as effective means for runner's knee prevention. But first, you need to recognize and address the issue at hand. That’s why the orthopaedic experts at Rothman Orthopaedic Institute have compiled this helpful overview of runner's knee including the associated causes and symptoms, and effective runner's knee prevention tips.

What is causing that dull ache?

The most typical symptom of runner's knee is an aching pain in the front of the knee. This pain may take different forms in different patients depending on the severity of the condition; it also may affect one or both knees. Most patients will experience pain prominently during exercise which bends the knee, after sitting for an extended period, or after increasing intensity or amount of activity. Aside from pain, another telltale symptom is crackling or popping noises when putting weight on the knee, especially after sitting for an extended period.

What is the source of these symptoms? Runner’s knee occurs as the result of three causes:

• Overuse, especially in cases of rapid increases in the intensity or frequency of running activity (or other knee-intensive activities) puts stress on the knee and can cause painful symptoms.

• Patellar malalignment, meanwhile, causes abnormal tracking of the kneecap, which can stress and damage soft tissues within the knee.

• Chondromalacia patella is a condition that causes the articular cartilage beneath the kneecap to soften and degenerate.

The result of these respective issues? The dull ache you experience in your knee as you run.

How can runner's knee be prevented?

Fortunately, there are numerous simple actions you can take that can make a dramatic difference in terms of runner's knee prevention. Here are a few to keep in mind:

• Increase the intensity/frequency of your activity gradually

• Stretch and practice flexibility exercises for your quadriceps and hamstrings before activity

• Stretch following activity

• Wear proper, activity-appropriate footwear

• Maintain a healthy body weight (excess weight can create stress on the knees)

• Reduce activity that is causing pain

Are there treatments for runner's knee?

If runner's knee prevention measures - including reducing or halting pain-inducing activity - prove ineffective, there are orthopaedic treatment options available that can effectively address this condition.

In most cases, nonoperative options will be sufficient for treating runner's knee. These include:

• RICE (rest, icing, compression, elevation)

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication

• Physical therapy (in particular, quadriceps and core strengthening)

• Orthotic shoe inserts

If pain persists your doctor may recommend surgery. Arthroscopy (which removes damaged cartilage and repairs tendons) and tibial tubercle transfer (which realigns the kneecap) are two procedures that may effectively treat this condition.

The orthopaedic specialists at Rothman Orthopaedic Institute have extensive experience dealing with sports injuries, including runner's knee. To discuss runner's knee prevention measures, learn more about treatment options, or schedule an examination, visit us here or contact us at 1-800-321-9999.