You can’t run away from pain. Eventually it stops you in your tracks, forcing you to either give up the activities you love or deal with the problem. That’s certainly the case for injuries like runner’s knee. Your knees, and their health, are crucial for your ability to run. Overuse injuries like runner’s knee will only get worse with time, which is why taking care of them right away is so important. Treating runner’s knee isn’t difficult, either, so you have no reason not to.
Runner’s knee is an overuse injury that builds stress and irritation around or under your kneecap. Any sort of over-training, overwork from poor technique, strain from overpronation, and similar problems can stress your knees and contribute to the condition. The longer it goes untreated, the worse it will become. Fortunately, like other overuse problems, some conservative care and physical therapy can go a long way in getting you back to your favorite jogs.
Treating the problem isn’t hard—it just takes time and requires runners to do some things they may not enjoy, including rest. You will have to scale back your running significantly, and possibly take a break altogether, to avoid further damaging your knees. Icing and wrapping your joint when its painful may help control the discomfort. If you’re really struggling with pain, we may recommend anti-inflammatory painkillers as well.
Physical therapy is also a key factor in a complete recovery. You need to build up the muscles that support your knees in your legs and hips to help them work efficiently and correctly. In some cases, training to adjust your running form and technique may be beneficial, too. If poor support and overpronation are related to your injury, you might need to change your footwear or use orthotics.
Runner’s knee is uncomfortable and can make using your knees difficult, but it doesn’t have to be the end of your regular jogs. The sooner you take care of it, the sooner you can get back to logging miles on your favorite shoes. Our experts at Castle Pines Physical Therapy and Cherry Creek Physical Therapy will help you with every step. Contact our Colorado offices by calling (303) 805-5156 or by using our online forms.