Treating and Preventing Runner's Knee Pain

Runner’s knee, also called patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS), received its common name due to how common it is in runners. It is caused by excessive stress where the patellas (kneecaps) meet the thigh bones. The resulting knee pain can be either sharp and sporadic or dull and persistent – or some combination of these.

Causes of Runner’s Knee

Poor form and biomechanical issues while running are most often to blame for runner’s knee. However, it can also be the result of tight hamstrings and/or badly conditioned quadricep muscles. This is because a lack of flexibility in the hamstrings can cause excess pressure on the knee, while weak quadriceps muscles cannot properly support the kneecaps.

Runner’s knee affects twice as many female runners as it does males. Worn cartilage in the knee can also reduce shock absorption. High-arched feet can also make you more prone to runner’s knee, as there is less cushioning. Flat feet and knees that track inward or outward can also affect how the patella tracks.

Symptoms of Runner's Knee

The symptoms of runner’s knee include:

• Pain or tenderness on or around the kneecap
• Pain in the back of the knee
• A weakness of the knees
• Stabbing knee pain
• A dull throbbing knee pain

Preventing and Treating Runner's Knee

Runner’s knee can be prevented by:

• Wearing shoes with sufficient cushioning
• Run on soft surfaces like grass instead of pavement
• Increase distance and inclined running very gradually
• Buy specialty shoes for flat feet or feet that track inward/outward
• Stretch the hamstrings adequately before running
• Strengthen the quadriceps muscles
• Reduce mileage until the pain subsides

Your Lakeville chiropractor and St. Paul Chiropractor Lake Marion Chiropractic will assess the condition of your knee by observing pattern screens related to how you walk and run. Your chiropractor in Lakeville will then use a combination of chiropractic care, corrective exercises, advanced soft tissue techniques and nutritional advice to address and treat your runner’s knee issue holistically.

In addition to offering solutions for knee pain, your Lakeville chiropractor and Chiropractor in St. Paul Dr. Couillard will also help you to address the issue at its root. Our goal is to increase your running performance as well as your overall quality of life.