The first thing you need to know about ‘runner’s knee’ is that unlike its name, it can happen to anyone, not just runners. Runner’s knee refers to pain in the front, or anterior, part of the knee often due to an abnormality of the patellofemoral joint. The patellofemoral joint is where the patella (kneecap) slides along the femur when you move your knee. It is the most common running-related injury as well as a common problem in many other sports. This condition is medically known as patellofemoral pain syndrome.
While there may be many underlying causes of runner’s knee, the primary symptom is pain at front of the knee, around or behind the kneecap, especially during movements like running or squatting, or with prolonged sitting. It commonly occurs in people who repetitively stress the patellofemoral joint through sports that involve running.
What are the causes of Runner’s knee?
1. Overuse of the Knee Joint
Bending your knee over and over again or performing high-stress exercises like squats or lunges can put excess stress on the tissues around the kneecap.
2. Injury
Any direct hit or a fall to the knee can be the cause for Runner's knee.
3. Nonalignment of Bones
If the bones from your hips to your ankles are aligned incorrectly, it can put too much pressure on the kneecaps. It causes friction in the knee joint which can trigger pain.
4. Flat feet
If the arches on the foot are fallen or flat it can affect the way one walks which can lead to knee pain.
5. Weak thigh muscles
If the thigh muscles are weak then it does not provide the proper support to the kneecap. The lack of proper support triggers unnecessary movement of the knee cap which causes knee pain.
6. Arthritis
Arthritis causes the formation of extra fluids in the knee. This causes inflammation and swelling of the knee.
How is Runner's knee diagnosed?
Runner’s knee can be diagnosed by a certified physician, typically by taking a look at the patient’s x-ray.
How is Runner’s knee treated?
Generally, Runner's Knee tends to treat itself after a certain amount of time and a few treatment methods. To relieve the pain in the knee and to facilitate a quick recovery, the following treatment methods are used:
Rest - It is best to provide rest to the knee joint. Any exercises that affect the knee or put a strain on it should be avoided. Repetitive bending of the knee should be avoided as well.
Applying Ice - Applying ice to the knee joint to reduce pain and swelling can provide relief. This process can be repeated as many times as required until the pain is relieved.
Compressing the knee - Tightly wrapping a bandage or any cloth around the knee to restrict swelling can relieve the pain.
Elevating the knee - The knee should be elevated on a pillow or a plank to prevent further swelling.
The above-mentioned method is called RICE treatment. It can help treat Runner's knee by effectively reducing the swelling and providing relief from pain.
Massage
Generally, as with many sports injuries, a good massage can bring a lot of benefits. Make sure you massage your knees regularly using a good massage oil. A good option is Sandhi Sudha Ayurvedic oil. This oil is packed with pain relieving herbs that can help you get rid of the pain in your knees as well as bring down the inflammation in the area. Sandhi Sudha is the perfect massage oil, not just for arthritis sufferers but for sports related muscle and joint pains as well. So, don’t forget to massage your knees with SandhiSudha Oil.
For
more information, please visit https://www.sandhisudha.com/
