Everything You Need to Know About Knee Pain - Runner's Knee

Runner’s Knee, or if we use the correct medical terminology, Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome, is a term used to describe different types of knee pain. Despite the name, Runner’s Knee is not only limited to those who enjoy running as it can potentially happen to anyone.

That being said, it is a common complaint from those who like to run, as although this form of exercise does have numerous health benefits, as a high impact activity it is not always gentle on your body if the right precautions aren’t taken.

​Regardless of whether you are a serious athlete, or someone who is looking for an alternative treatment before undergoing invasive surgery, we have compiled everything you need to know about Runner's Knee. Read on to learn more about this common health complaint:


​What Can Cause Runner's Knee?

As mentioned, Runner’s Knee can be caused by a variety of factors and isn’t only limited to running. One of the most common causes is overuse, and this is due to repeatedly performing the same motion over and over again which results in irritation and stress around your knee cap. Repetitive leg exercises such as lunges can contribute to this painful injury. Getting hit in the knee can also cause damage to this area, and this could occur due to falling over, being hit by a ball or simply walking into something!

Not all causes are directly related to the knee itself. Misaligned bones in other areas of your body such as the hips and ankles can create a chain reaction placing pressure on your knees. If your knees are overcompensating and unable to work as they should it can cause problems with the kneecap.

Foot problems and pronation issues can affect the way you move, and once again place additional pressure on your knees resulting in pain. If your hips and thighs are weak, or the cartilage in your kneecap wears down these can all result in Runner's Knee. As you can see, the causes do vary, but all of these factors can lead to the same result - injury to the knee.


What are the Symptoms of Runner's Knee?

When you are suffering from Runner's Knee the symptoms will likely be obvious as you will not be able to function as you normally would. You will feel discomfort and often pain in the knee area, particularly around the kneecap. The symptoms will be worse when doing those activities which rely on the flexibility of the knee, such as bending, squatting and using the stairs.

The damage to the area could result in swelling or cause the knee to create popping noises as you move. For those with Runner's Knee, even sitting with your legs bent will be painful as the pressure begins to build.


How is Runner's Knee Diagnosed?

If your knee pain doesn't resolve on its own with at home care, it will be time to see a doctor or physical therapist. At your appointment you will likely be given a physical examination. If your health professional thinks it is necessary, you might have to undergo tests or an x-ray to determine the extent of the damage. 
It is important to note that there are a few other health complaints which mirror the side effects of Runner's Knee including arthritis, stress fractures, tendonitis and cysts. For this reason, if the problem doesn't rectify itself, it is important to seek medical advice.


What are the Treatment Options for Runner's Knee?

Before progressing down the road of orthopaedic surgeons and invasive procedures, there are a range of treatments you can try. For most people, simply resting is enough to see a significant improvement in their knee pain. If you can, try not to do anything that hurts as this could prolong the life of the injury. For an alternative treatment, Mauricio Munoz is an Asea Diamond Executive for the redox based technology in cellular health, which he personally attributes to the reduction of his own knee pain. As someone who previously had to undergo surgery he found a better option. By simply changing his diet and drinking the ASEA Redox every day, his soreness in this area after participating in sporting activities was gone. 

If the area is swollen, an ice pack will do wonders. This should be done for up to 30 minutes every 4 hours, for up to 3 days. If the pain subsides in this time, then the ice will no longer be needed. Wrapping and supporting your knee while elevating your leg will relieve the pressure and promote healing. Certain over the counter medications such as ibuprofen will help to reduce the swelling and pain, if you are unsure what to take please consult with your doctor or pharmacist.

While it may be tempting to keep your feet up long term, your muscles will benefit from strengthening exercises. These include stretching of other areas of your body which may be affecting the knees, such as the quadriceps and hips. If you have pinpointed the cause as your feet, arch supports and the correct footwear can help to speed up the healing process, while preventing your knee pain to reoccur in the future. Until your pain has gone and your knee is strong again, stick to low impact exercises such as swimming and walking. Surgery should be a last resort, but for some people cannot be avoided.


Can Runner’s Knee Be Prevented?

The simple answer is yes, but for some people no matter how many precautions they take will still be at risk of injury. Regular exercise and a healthy weight is beneficial for everyone, and strengthening exercises which keep the legs fit and lean will help to protect your knees. Wearing supportive shoes which promote good posture will go a long way in reducing the strain that is placed on other parts of your body, including your knee caps. Always warm up and stretch before vigorous exercise and try to avoid running on concrete as this can affect not only your knees but your feet too. Try grass instead! Ease into any new exercise regimes slowly and allow your body to build up to activities which are higher impact.

Seeing a physical therapist may also help to keep your posture in check, and they will be able to show you the correct exercises to maintain maximum strength throughout your body. For overall health, add the ASEA Redox to your diet and you will be in the best position possible to prevent painful Runner's Knee!


Don't Forget

Runner's Knee can happen to anyone, but for most people it can be treated without invasive surgery. With nurturing and care, most injuries can improve at home with patience and rest. While this is an often-painful injury, the diagnosis is a good one. Prevention will always be better than cure so keep those muscles strong and wear the right footwear. If your shoes do begin to lack the support you need, make sure you replace them. Keeping your body strong and healthy is the key to preventing a range of injuries, including Runner's Knee.

If you would like more information on redox based technology and how it can benefit your lifestyle, we would love to hear from you.