Runner’s knee involves knee pain deriving from several causes including overuse, direct trauma to the knee like a fall or blow, misalignment, weak thigh muscles, or problems with the feet. Runner’s knee though is not just for running but can occur from other activities like walking, biking, and jumping.
Through overuse, repeated bending of the knee and overstretched tendons can cause the pain of runner’s knee. Different problems with the feet like if a runner has flat feet can impact the steps one takes where the arches of your foot collapse, over stretching the muscles and tendons.
Some symptoms of runner’s knee include:
1. Pain behind knee, or around the kneecap
2. Pain when bending the knee
3. Swelling
4. A grinding or popping sensation in the knee
5. Pain that worsens when walking down the stairs or down a hill
For runners knee, a doctor may need to give x-rays, MRIs, scans or other tests to make sure that there is no serious damage to the knee and the injury can heal from rest, ice, and physical therapy.
It is important to see a doctor as runners knee is fairly treatable but a more serious injury will require more serious treatment. Severe cases of runner’s knee may require surgery to correct the knee cap and take out any damaged cartilage. This is why proper diagnosis of runners knee is essential before all else.
Physical Therapy For Runner's Knee
At Cross Bay Physical Therapy, we will create a runner knee treatment plan for you to help decrease pain and swelling and increase strength and flexibility. Our goal is not just to make your knee pain free but also stronger and healthier. Call (718) 835-0084 to schedule an appointment today with a physical therapist!
The greatest benefit of physical therapy for runners knee is that we strengthen your knee as well as the thigh muscles surrounding the knee to make sure your knee is so strong that runners knee is unlikely to occur again in the future.
Another piece of advice is to get arch supports for your shoes that will make running and walking more comfortable and therefore, putting less stress on your feet.
Located in Howard Beach, Queens, Cross Bay Physical Therapy can help fix your knee problem alleviating runners knee. Call (718) 835-0084 today to schedule an appointment!
By Benjamin Bieber