Do You Suffer From Runners Knee (Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome)? Have you ever had knee pain; a rather general tenderness in the knee that can come with a sharper pain when you extend the knee, or step down steps? You might just be experiencing a condition known as Runners Knee (also called Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome).
As you might surmise from the title, patellofemoral pain syndrome, or runner's knee, is a problem generally found in runners, but it's also seen in athletes from many other disciplines where there's a lot of knee bending activity - walking, running, jumping, biking, and so on.
What is Runners Knee (Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome)?
Runners knee is not really a single ailment, it's more of an expression that covers a number of concerns caused by a number of underlying problems, all of which can result in pain in and about the knee, hence the name 'Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome'.
Runners knee is usually induced through activities where use of the knee is prominent like running, court sports, hill walking, etc - but it can also happen when simply walking up or down steps, or from sitting for long periods at a time.
What Causes Runners Knee (Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome)?
There are multiple causes of runners knee (Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome), and it's not uncommon to see more than one of these factors coming into play for any given person sufffering from this ailment.
Any surplus irritation or stress placed on the various components of the knee named above can cause aggravation that will be identified as runners knee.
Overuse - plain and simple over-doing it. Repeated heavy stress placed on any joint will, over time, normally result in pain or damage.
Injury to the knee - if you have fallen or had some sort of injury to the knee, or leg, you may have displaced the patella, stressed the ligaments, or affected the muscle wellness and balance in the thigh or calves.
Alignment concerns - your kneecap might not sit right, either naturally, as a result of an injury. The bones in your leg may not be well aligned, or you might have foot issues producing awkward foot pronation.
Foot Problems - over pronation and flat feet can cause even more tension on muscles and tendons in the foot and lower leg - the added stretching of the muscles like this can bring on weaker muscles and reduces support for the knee.
Weak muscles in the leg - your quadriceps are the primary muscle responsible for flexing the knee, and are necessary for actions such as walking, running, jumping, and squatting. Weakened thigh muscles (quadriceps) are often believed to be the major cause of Runners Knee (Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome).
How are you able to treat and prevent Runners Knee (Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome)?
Because there's no single condition and no simple source, therapy for runners knee will depend upon an accurate analysis of the underlying cause.
Rest - As with most leg injuries, the first course of treatment method is to rest.
Ice - If the pain is bad enough, you can ice the joint to help lessen the pain.
Knee Support - Wearing a protective sleeve or taping the joint may also help reduce the stress placed on the knee.
Footwear - Correcting issues including overpronation or flat feet can also help protect against patellofemoral pain syndrome.
Muscle Strengthening - stretching and bolstering activities can help because stronger, more flexible, muscles provide improved support and stabilization for the knee.
Switch Your Activities - Reducing the mileage you run, finding flatter runs, or less court time, will help to reduce the pain simply because you are cutting down the stress.
Cross Training - adding low impact activities and workouts to your program can help with muscle wellness - strength and flexibility.
This article is not intended to substitute expert guidance, always consult a qualified specialist before taking any medicine or embarking on a physical therapy program.
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