Runner’s Knee
Andreas Leonidou
Orthopaedic Surgeon
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Runner’s Knee
Runner’s knee, also known as patellofemoral pain syndrome or runner’s knee, is a common condition that affects runners and other athletes who participate in high-intensity sports involving frequent bending of the knee. It is characterized by pain around the kneecap, which can range from mild to severe. It is one of the most common causes of knee pain in athletes.
Runner’s Knee – Causes
The exact cause of runner’s knee is not known, but there are several factors that can contribute to the development of the condition.
Overuse: Runner’s knee is often caused by excessive and intense use of the knee joint, which can lead to inflammation and irritation of the kneecap (patella) and the surrounding tissues.
Weak or overly tight muscles: The muscles that most commonly predispose to pain around the kneecap when they are weak or tight are the quadriceps, gluteal muscles and hamstrings.
Anatomical factors of the knee: Poor alignment of the knee joint (genu valgum or genu varum) or a high-riding patella can lead to abnormal movement of the kneecap (maltracking) – increased loads and the development of pain.
Patellar chondropathy: Wear of the articular surface of the patella due to an acute or chronic injury.
Foot problems: The presence of flat feet or high arches can also cause runner’s knee by altering the alignment of the knee joint.
Runner’s Knee – Symptoms
Pain: The main symptom of runner’s knee is pain around the kneecap, which may be sharp or dull and often worsens with activities such as running, jumping or climbing stairs.
A grinding sensation and a “clicking” sound when bending or straightening the knee.
Swelling and inflammation around the knee joint.
Stiffness or limited range of motion in the knee.
Pain that worsens with prolonged sitting or standi
Runner’s Knee – Diagnosis
A patient with runner’s knee requires assessment by a specialized Orthopaedic Surgeon. Mr Leonidou will take a detailed medical history and examine you. The doctor may perform an ultrasound examination for the final diagnosis and will discuss the recommended treatment options with you. Occasionally, further investigations such as plain X-rays or an MRI scan may be required to investigate other possible causes of the symptoms.
Runner’s Knee – Treatment
Rest: Resting the knee joint and avoiding activities that aggravate the symptoms helps reduce pain and inflammation.
Ice therapy: Apply ice to the knee for 15–20 minutes at a time, 3–4 times a day.
Compression: The use of a knee brace or a simple elastic bandage helps relieve symptoms.
Physiotherapy: An individualized program with muscle-strengthening exercises.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Injection therapy: In persistent cases, treatment with platelet-rich plasma (PRP – biological therapies) may be indicated.
Arthroscopy: In the rare cases where conservative treatment fails, knee arthroscopy may provide a definitive solution. With this minimally invasive technique, the specialized orthopaedic surgeon cleans the damaged / worn part of the cartilage and corrects the position of the kneecap.
Runner’s Knee – Prevention
Good warm-up and stretching before starting exercise.
Strengthening of the muscles around the knee.
Appropriate footwear for running, which should be replaced after a certain number of kilometres according to their specifications.
Avoid running on asphalt or concrete. It is better to run on surfaces with appropriate flooring in order to reduce the loads on your knee.
Gentle stretching after exercise.
In patients with anatomical problems of the foot, the use of appropriate orthotic footwear helps improve the distribution of loads on the knee.
Gradual increase in intensity and duration of training and exercise.
Runner’s Knee – When can I return to running?
Every case is different and recovery time depends on the severity of the symptoms and the underlying cause. During rehabilitation, you can try another form of exercise such as swimming. Take the necessary time and do not return to training until you have fully recovered, in order to avoid recurrence. When returning to running, it is important to increase the distance progressively, always in combination with a good warm-up and stretching.
If you have persistent and severe knee pain, visit the specialized orthopaedic surgeon Mr Andreas Leonidou. For more information and appointments, please contact us.
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