It’s around this time of the year we start to see lots of patients coming through the clinic with knee pain attributed to running. We thought on this basis, lets focus our attention on the commonly described term ‘Runners Knee’.
Runner’s knee is a common condition that affects many runners and athletes. It’s characterised by pain and discomfort around the knee joint, which can make it difficult to continue with your training plan. The pain in the knee is mainly around the front of the knee, in an area known as the patellofemoral joint. There are many suggested reasons for runners knee but at present we have no consensus based on good quality evidence to confirm the causes.
Suggested causes of runner’s knee:
Runner’s knee can be caused by a number of factors, including:
- Overuse: Repetitive movements, such as running or jumping, can put a strain on the knee joint and lead to runner’s knee. This means that training plan errors such as steep increases in load or insufficient recovery can put you at risk of runners knee
- Weakness: Weak muscles around the knee joint, particularly the quadriceps and hips can lead to imbalances and increase the risk of runner’s knee.
- Biomechanics: Running form or other biomechanical issues can put excessive stress on the knee joint. Over time this can begin to cause issues, which highlights the need for services such as gait analysis (see our previous blog 👍🏻)
Treatments for Runner’s Knee
The good news is that runner’s knee is a treatable condition. Here are some treatments that can help you recover:
- Rest: Rest is an important part of recovering from runner’s knee. It’s important to look at your training load and make tweaks to allow adequate rest and recovery. These breaks may be longer than normal once you are getting into a pain/inflammatory cycle. Make sure you consult with a physio to make sure you’re getting the balance right.
- Ice: Applying ice to the affected area can help to reduce inflammation and relieve pain.
- Strengthening Exercises: Strengthening exercises for the quadriceps and hips can help to improve muscle imbalances and ensure the issue doesn’t reoccur.
- Biomechanical Assessment: A physiotherapist can assess your running form and identify any biomechanical issues that may be contributing to your runner’s knee.
- Taping or Bracing: Taping or bracing the knee can provide additional support and help to reduce pain.
At Move4 Physio Northampton, our experienced physiotherapists can help you recover from runner’s knee. We offer a range of services, including physiotherapy, massage therapy, and acupuncture, to help you manage your pain and get back to doing what you love.
Don’t let it hold you back but don’t ignore it, contact us at Move4 to schedule a consultation and start your journey to recovery today.
