Different Causes of Runner's Knee
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A Runner’s Knee is actually a medical disorder wherein the cartilage beneath the knee cap is injured or is degenerating, causing extreme pain and inflammation. There are a lot of causes why Runner’s Knee may occur. One common cause is the overuse of the knee. This is specifically focused on runners, athletes, soccer players, cyclists and bikers. These people put a lot of stress on the knees constantly. If the knee is being bent and stretched repetitively, then this can cause some damage to the nerves and may overstretch the tendons too. Another cause of Runner’s Knee is through injury or trauma. If the trauma is directly to the knee, the cartilages will be damaged and will cause the bones to slide off one another making it very painful and swollen. A fall is an example when the person lands on the knee and the pressure will injure the knee bones. Misalignment can also be a cause of this disorder. If the kneecap is not correctly in line with the other bones and structures in the knee, the pressure that is being exerted by the body and movement will not be evenly displaced. Some of those structures might be getting too much weight and may cause damage and pain.
Flat feet may also be a cause of Runner’s knee. Since the foot does not have the necessary arches and curves to equalize and stabilize pressure, the impact of a single step will bring strain to the tendons and muscles of the knees and legs. Having weak thigh muscles is also a cause since the muscles will not be able to properly hold up the knee structures. If a person has runner’s knee, the usual signs and symptoms are pain on the knee area when walking, pain behind the patella, and swelling of the affected area. Usually, patients also complain of hearing grinding and popping sounds when the knee is being moved. The pain also exaggerates when the patient is walking downhill. Diagnosis of this condition may include x-ray images to be taken, physical examination, magnetic resonance imaging or MRI and computed tomography scans or CT scans.
First aid is very important and is the first step in treating runner’s knee. This is very much applicable especially when the cause of the runner’s knee is through an accident or direct injury to the knee. Most of the treatments for this condition are non-surgical. These include pain medications, anti-inflammatory drugs, knee braces, physical therapy and endurance and strength exercises for the legs. If surgery is indicated, physicians may perform arthroscopy where the damaged cartilages are removed and realignment which aims to equalize the pressure exerted on the knee. But athletes and people have to remember that runner’s knee can be prevented. You just have to make sure to keep within your ideal body weight and make sure your body mass index is normal. Proper stretching and the gradual increase of exercise intensity can also prevent a person from having a runner’s knee.
Flat feet may also be a cause of Runner’s knee. Since the foot does not have the necessary arches and curves to equalize and stabilize pressure, the impact of a single step will bring strain to the tendons and muscles of the knees and legs. Having weak thigh muscles is also a cause since the muscles will not be able to properly hold up the knee structures. If a person has runner’s knee, the usual signs and symptoms are pain on the knee area when walking, pain behind the patella, and swelling of the affected area. Usually, patients also complain of hearing grinding and popping sounds when the knee is being moved. The pain also exaggerates when the patient is walking downhill. Diagnosis of this condition may include x-ray images to be taken, physical examination, magnetic resonance imaging or MRI and computed tomography scans or CT scans.
First aid is very important and is the first step in treating runner’s knee. This is very much applicable especially when the cause of the runner’s knee is through an accident or direct injury to the knee. Most of the treatments for this condition are non-surgical. These include pain medications, anti-inflammatory drugs, knee braces, physical therapy and endurance and strength exercises for the legs. If surgery is indicated, physicians may perform arthroscopy where the damaged cartilages are removed and realignment which aims to equalize the pressure exerted on the knee. But athletes and people have to remember that runner’s knee can be prevented. You just have to make sure to keep within your ideal body weight and make sure your body mass index is normal. Proper stretching and the gradual increase of exercise intensity can also prevent a person from having a runner’s knee.