A hurt knee running outdoors is a common injury. While running outdoors offers you excellent health benefits in addition to the wonderful feeling of the wind in your face, it is also an activity that is prone to the most hurt knees. If you get a hurt knee while running, there are several different treatment plans that you can follow.
The treatment options that you choose will depend on the immediate cause of the hurt knee:
Is it a Torn Ligament?
Very often, a hurt knee form running is brought on by a torn ligament. While this is a common problem amongst runners, it is certainly not something that should be a life sentence for you! Your physician may only tell you to rest your knee. Sometimes surgery is unavoidable and you can also use a well designed knee support for a conservative approach, when possible.
Do you have Osteoarthritis of the Knee?
Although not life threatening, this is an incurable condition and is usually treated by a doctor with the use of non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (speak with your physician about your particular situation). These drugs can help contain the swelling that is usually associated with osteoarthritis of the knee. Unlike a torn ligament, which calls for a period of rest, if the knee pain is due to osteoarthritis it is sometimes far better to keep moving and exercising to prevent the knee from becoming rigid. Wearing a knee brace while moving will support your knees and help you to maintain proper alignment; thus staving off the pain and rapid degeneration of the knee. (Remember to speak with your physician about your activity levels.)
Is it Due to Rheumatoid Arthritis?
If you get a hurt knee running, it can also be a sign of rheumatoid arthritis. This is also an incurable condition that can affect anyone, including children. It usually presents with pain and swelling and in some cases, a fever. This is an auto immune disorder and is different than other types of arthritis. However, you do not have to just sit there and succumb to the numbing pain of rheumatoid arthritis. Your doctors can prescribe some medication to help manage the pain and a knee brace can help keep you well supported and mobile.
When to Seek Knee Surgery
If you are consistently bothered by knee trouble, you may be a candidate for knee surgery. However, knee surgery should only be attempted when all conservative methods of treating the knee have failed. Using over the counter medication, anti-inflammatory drugs and even a knee brace can help keep your knee feeling fine and can sometimes even prevent you getting a hurt knee running or walking.
Many cases of a hurt knee are the result of a torn ligament. To protect your knees whilst running, you should wear a knee brace and also make sure you warm up sufficiently so that your joints are warm and limber before you set out at full throttle.
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