Runner’s Knee Pain and Solutions

Whether for sport or just personal enjoyment, running is a great way to stay fit and active. On average, running can burn as many as 600 calories in an hour and slow jogging can even burn about 400 calories. Whatever your speed is, getting active with running can be a great way to help burn fat, stretch your muscles and keep your heart healthy.

Runners Knee in New Orleans Metairie LouisianaHowever, there can be some downsides to running. Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) or Runner’s Knee is a common complaint for runners. Runner’s knee refers to a pain that comes and goes within and around the knee and leg. This condition doesn’t just affect runners, it can affect anyone that does activities that require intense usage of the knee muscles. Commonly reported symptoms of runner’s knee are:

  • pain behind or around the kneecap
  • pain when bending the knee for any reason like standing, sitting, kneeling etc.
  • worsening pain when walking or going up and down stairs
  • popping or grinding sensation in the knee
  • pain when stretching the knee and leg

Running is a strenuous activity. If it is not done properly before, during and after it can cause injury. When you run, your body weight is being pushed off and then brought down upon your knees. This pressure is what causes muscle soreness and tearing if one does not stretch properly before and after heavy activity. In addition, if you are just beginning a running routine, start slow and work your muscles up to actual sprinting or long distance running.

What is the Treatment for Runner’s Knee?

Runner’s knee is an uncomfortable condition but not necessarily a medical emergency. However, if you continue to use improper techniques or don’t rest the knee enough, it can easily become a serious problem.

1. Stretching

Light stretching of the knee can help to alleviate tension and pain making it easier to continue a running regiment. Stretching is smart technique to implement before any kind of exercise in order to keep good blood flow and muscles relaxed.

2. Compression Sleeves

Compression sleeves for the knee can help to make sure that pressure is evenly distributed through the knee as well as helping to support it.

3. Elevation and Ice

If you are having difficulty moving after exercise, be sure to elevate and apply ice to the knee. This will stop tense muscles from swelling and ease the pain.

4. Wearing Running Shoes

Shoes are a crucial of running properly without injury. If you have flat feet or orthopedic issues, running can be extremely harmful to the knees. Be sure that you are wearing shoes that are designed for running and if you have problems like fallen arches or flat feet, buy shoe inserts that will help support your feet.

5. Consider Other Problems

If your knee pain is persistent and these other suggestions are not seeing beneficial results, there may be a bigger problem causing your pain. You could have soft tissue damage or ligament and tendon issues.

Patellar tendonitis is a common athletic injury that can often be confused with runner’s knee. The patellar tendon is the bit of muscle that connects the kneecap to the shinbone, as a result, this tendon has to absorb a lot of the pressure from running. A physical examination along with an MRI would be the easiest way to find out if what your knee needs.

You could have bone alignment issues that need to be addressed. X-rays would be the easiest way to determine if you have a misalignment in the knee or leg bones that are causing undue pressure on the knee.

If you have knee pain that is interfering with your daily life and activities, consider having your doctor send you to have medical imaging performed at Doctors Imaging in Metairie. Our state of the art equipment and years of experience reassure our patient’s thorough, fast results. You can set up an appointment online through our Request Appointment form or you can call our offices at 504-883-8111.

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