Runner’s Knee: Causes and Symptoms

PRLog (Press Release) - Sep 28, 2009 -
Runner’s knee may have a variety of causes.  Overuse is one of the most common culprits responsible for it development.  Too much bending of the knee can lead to irritated nerves in the kneecap as well as overstretched tendons.  Runner’s knee can also develop due to trauma such as blunt blow to the knee.  

Sometimes runner’s knee is related to a more complicated problem involving misalignment of the bones in the leg.  This physical misalignment leads to the uneven distribution of stress that can damage the joints.  Often the problem occurs between the kneecap and the femur, the major bone in the thigh.  But knee pain can also originate from misalignment between the ankle and the foot.  

Over pronation also can lead to runner’s knee.  Pronation is the natural tendency for the foot to turn inward when we walk.  If the foot turns inward too much, excessive stress is put on the knee.  Over pronation often results from fallen arches or flat feet.

Finally, runner’s knee can be caused by muscle weakness that leads to an imbalance in the body that in turn puts stress on the knee.  Muscular imbalances can affect the quadriceps (thigh muscles on the front of the leg), hamstrings (thigh muscles on the back of the leg), iliotibial band (a fibrous band of tissue that connects the hip to the knee) or the hip abductors (muscles on the outside of the thigh).  Exercises designed to strengthen the weak muscle group can sometimes help restore balance to the body and alleviate the problem.

Symptoms of runner’s knee include:  Pain in front, behind or around the kneecap.  Tenderness is especially common in the area where the kneecap and the thighbone meet.  Pain is usually diffuse rather than localized and increases after activities such as climbing stairs or jogging.  This pain is usually more intense when descending stairs or jogging downhill. Tenderness is also felt after sitting for long periods of time or sleeping in a curled up position.   Swelling often accompanies physical discomfort.  Popping or grinding sensations or even sounds are often associated with runner’s knee.

Treatment of runner’s knee will depend on the underlying causes.  Runner’s knee that has resulted from overuse or injury will require rest and knee bracing.  If the condition originates in the feet, on the other hand, proper footwear may do more to eliminate pain than any sort of attention to the knee.  Speak with your podiatrist for specifics about treating the source of your knee pain.