5 causes of runner's knee

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.