5 causes of runner's knee
DESCRIPTION
Stay vigilant about 5 common causes that contribute to Runner’s Knee.TRANSCRIPT
FOOT HEALTH RESOURCE CENTER
5 Causes of Runner’s Knee
YOUR KNEES
Your knees take on a lot.
And when you run, they bear a load of 2 to 3
times your body weight.
High-impact, repetitive motion takes its toll
on your knees, especially among runners.
In fact, almost 50% of all running injuries are
to the knee.
Pain behind or around your kneecap is called
patellofemoral pain—or by the more friendly
term “Runner's Knee.”
RUNNER'S KNEE
Runner’s Knee is usually caused by your
kneecap rubbing against the lower end of
your thighbone instead of gliding smoothly
over it.
That friction damages the cartilage beneath
your kneecap, in some cases wearing it all the
way down to the bone.
So to prevent Runner’s Knee, does that mean
you should not run? Of course not! However,
you should stay vigilant about 5 common
causes that contribute to this particular
painful condition.
1. Overuse.
You might think you’re unstoppable, especially
if you’re athletically active. But you’re not.
People often overuse their knees far beyond
what they can handle when running, jogging,
hiking, or participating in sports activities.
2. Muscle weakness in your thighs and hips.
Weak muscles prevent them from properly
stabilizing your knee.
3. Your gait.
Too much inward collapse of your knee
as you run or walk results in extra stress to
your knee joint and kneecap.
Also be careful of overpronation, which
stresses your knee as your lower leg turns
inward while your thigh rotates your
knee outward.
4. Aging and osteoarthritis.
Aging and osteoarthritis contributes to the
softening or breaking down of cartilage.
That’s why Runner’s Knee may become
more likely as you get older.
5. Trauma.
Trauma, such as a blow to your knee that
damages or breaks off part of the cartilage
or bone.
Most knee pain can be treated at home. But
if you suffer an injury or trauma to your
knee, you'll want to see a doctor to assess
the damage.
Also talk to your doctor if your knee pain
is sudden, severe, or unexplained by the
causes above.
FOOT HEALTH RESOURCE CENTER
For more information about treating and preventing Runner’s Knee from the experts at FootSmart and the Podiatry Institute, visit www.footsmart.com/Foot-Health-Resource-Center.