By Matthew Lee
You may not know that there are a number of different scenarios that can lead to the intense pain and equal frustration of Runner’s Knee. Let us understand the causes of knee pain in runners. Typically many of us runners make the flawed assumption that it must be a problem with our running shoes…
However in reality the probable causes of your knee pain extend way beyond footwear.
Most likely the problem lies closer to home, such as the presence of muscular imbalances, poor hip stability, or having weak a core region.
If left unresolved, these problems will turn a slightly painful knee into a chronic problem, stopping you from running altogether.
This is particularly true of the two common injuries you’ll often hear described as Runner’s Knee:
• Patellofemoral Pain
• ITB Syndrome
Patellofemoral Pain
Patellofemoral (puh-tel-o-FEM-uh-rul) pain syndrome is pain at the front of your knee, around your kneecap (patella). Sometimes called “runner's knee,” it's more common in people who participate in sports that involve running and jumping.
The knee pain often increases when you run, walk up or down stairs, sit for long periods, or squat. Simple treatments — such as rest and ice — often help, but sometimes physical therapy is needed to ease patellofemoral pain.
ITB Syndrome
The iliotibial band (IT band) is also known as the iliotibial tract or Maissiat’s band. It’s a long piece of connective tissue, or fascia, that runs along the outside of your leg from the hip to the knee and shinbone. The IT band helps to extend, abduct, and rotate your hip. It also helps to stabilize and move the side of your knee while protecting the outer thigh.
My friend, running rehab specialist James Dunne, has written a great article over at Kinetic Revolution to help you differentiate between these two different knee injuries:
Although the knee is the site of pain, usually the problem itself stems from an issue above or below the knee, or sometimes both.
If you’re interested in learning the different phases involved in fixing these underlying problems and running pain-free, you can learn more on causes of knee pain in runners here:
Finding The Right Running Shoes
Of course one of the most important remedies for knee pain in runners is the shoes. Finding the best fitting running shoes among so many choices can be tiring. Hence, we created our recommendation for the 5 best running shoes in 2020.
Let us know what you think.
