runner's knee
Runner's knee is an extremely common overuse injury among runners.
Mechanism of the injury:
Runner's knee is usually caused by irritation in the area where the patella meets the thighbone. The type of pain caused by this injury varies, sometimes it is sharp and sudden but other times it can be dull and incessant. Often times the pain goes away while you are running, but then returns once you stop. The injury is usually caused by poorly stretched hamstrings or weak quadriceps. If your quads are not strong enough, they will not be able to properly support the patella which can make it move out of alignment. If your hamstrings are tight and inflexible, they can put pressure on the knee.
Symptoms:
Mechanism of the injury:
Runner's knee is usually caused by irritation in the area where the patella meets the thighbone. The type of pain caused by this injury varies, sometimes it is sharp and sudden but other times it can be dull and incessant. Often times the pain goes away while you are running, but then returns once you stop. The injury is usually caused by poorly stretched hamstrings or weak quadriceps. If your quads are not strong enough, they will not be able to properly support the patella which can make it move out of alignment. If your hamstrings are tight and inflexible, they can put pressure on the knee.
Symptoms:
- tenderness around or behind the kneecap
- pain in the center of the knee
- physical examination by a doctor
- computerized tomography (CT) scan
- X-Ray
- magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- cut back on milage
- avoid knee-bending activities
- avoid downward stairs or hills
- consider orthodics
- supportive knee-brace
- P.R.I.C.E (protect, rest, ice, compression, elevation)
- rehabilitation exercises to strengthen the muscles that support your knees, especially your quadriceps and hamstrings.