Prepping for your first run, whether it be the intensity of a half-marathon or adding a few extra miles to your daily routine, means putting your body through repeated stress in the hopes of de-stressing.
Repetitive stress from running can do wonders for your body, such as building bone density and increasing stamina. However, there is also a downside to your newfound hobby – the increased risk of an injury.
Runner’s knee is a well-known ache for new runners, but when does it require visiting a pain management clinic near you? Keep reading to find out!
What is Runner’s Knee?
Patellofemoral pain syndrome, more commonly known as runner’s knee, is characterized by dull pain around the front of the knee or the kneecap. Despite its name, runner’s knee is not strictly just for runners – it can affect anyone from high-intensity athletes to a retail worker who is on their feet all day.
Runner’s knee can be caused due to the following:
- Malalignment of the kneecap
- Excessive training or overuse
- A direct hit to the knee or other prior injury
- Issues with your feet, such as fallen arches or tight Achilles tendons
- Weakened thigh muscles
- Tight hamstrings
When Should I Go to the Doctor for Runner’s Knee?
Burning pain in the knee may just be that – a burning pain in the knee. But symptoms of runner’s knee can disguise themselves as more serious conditions or health concerns. It’s important to listen to your body and speak to one of our pain management doctors near you for a diagnosis.
The most common symptoms of runner’s knee include:
- Pain in and around the kneecap
- Pain after sitting with your knees bent for extended periods
- Pain worsens as you walk downstairs or downhill
- Tender kneecap
The area around your knee may also swell, and you may hear a rubbing or clicking sound coming from the pained area.
How Can a Pain Management Physician Help My Knee Pain?
Our physicians tackle pain management in Charleston, SC one step at a time, starting with a diagnosis. Our doctors will conduct a thorough physical exam and ask questions regarding your health history. We may also take X-rays to get a closer look inside your joints to help determine the root cause of your pain.
Runner’s Knee Treatment
After a diagnosis has been determined, our physicians will create a personalized pain treatment plan designed for you based on age, pain level, overall health, and your preference for treatment.
What separates our clinic from others is our use of interventional pain management techniques. Treatment options for knee pain using these techniques can include joint injections to reduce inflammation, physical and occupational therapy to improve flexibility and joint support, as well as various forms of massage.
What are Other Common Knee Injuries for Runners?
Unfortunately, runner’s knee is not the only injury that can occur on the way to the finish line. Your knee pain can be due to other injuries as a result of overuse, changes in your daily activity, or wear and tear.
Iliotibial Band (IT band) Syndrome
An overuse injury occurs when the tendon from your hip to the outer knee tightens and irritates your outer knee area.
Jumper’s Knee
Also called patellar tendonitis, jumper’s knee occurs when the tendon is overloaded, causing it to thicken. This can lead to increased pain when you squat, jump, or land.
Other knee injuries can include injuries to the cartilage and tendons, as well as tears to the ACL (anterior cruciate ligament), among other more serious conditions.
Talk with your pain management physician if you have prolonged knee pain or are concerned about a more serious knee condition or injury.
Don’t Let Knee Pain Stop You From Moving–Contact Pain Specialists of Charleston Today
When it comes to moving, whether you are running in a 10k or walking down the hall, your knee plays a crucial role in keeping one foot in front of the other.
Don’t let knee pain keep you from crossing the finish line to a pain-free life! Our doctors at Pain Specialists of Charleston are here to help you say goodbye to pain without surgery or habit-forming drugs, so schedule an appointment with us today!
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Published June 2024
