What is Runner’s knee?
Runner’s knee means that you have dull pain around the front of the knee (patella). This is where the knee connects with the lower end of the thighbone (femur).
Runner’s knee may be caused by a structural defect, or a certain way of walking or running. Other causes may include:
- A kneecap that is too high in the knee joint
- Weak thigh muscles
- Tight hamstrings
- Tight Achilles tendons
- Poor foot support
- Walking or running with the feet rolling in while the thigh muscles pull the kneecap outward
- Excessive training or overuse
- Injury
These are the most common symptoms of runner’s knee:
- Pain in and around the kneecap that happens when you are active. Or pain after sitting for a long time with the knees bent. This sometimes causes weakness or feelings of instability.
- Rubbing, grinding, or clicking sound of the kneecap that you hear when you bend and straighten your knee
- Kneecap that is tender to the touch
The symptoms of runner’s knee may look like other conditions and health problems. Always talk with your healthcare provider for a diagnosis. For a location near you visit our locations on the website and we will provide a FREE INJURY SCREEN to assist with your diagnosis and develop an individualized exercise program. Lets get you back to running Today!
Penny Tussing, MSPT,ATC,RRT.