Have you heard of runner’s knee? It’s a term used to describe pain around your patella or otherwise known as your kneecap. Runner’s knee includes patellofemoral malalignment, iliotibial band syndrome, chondromalacia patella, and anterior knee pain syndrome. If you have a runner’s knee, we recommend visiting our Orthopedic Center and seeing a knee specialist in Wellington to have your knee checked.
Frequent running is the usual cause, but not the only culprit. It’s any activity that involves repeated stress on your knee joints, such as:
- Cycling
- Soccer
- Jumping
- Biking
- Skiing
- Walking
Studies show that this condition is more common in middle-aged women or overweight individuals than men or those with a relatively healthy weight.
What It’s A Runner’s Knee?
What Are The Symptoms of Runner’s Knee?
People with a runner’s knee often complain of a dull, aching pain concentrated behind or around their patella or kneecaps.
Pain is typically experienced when you kneel, squat, climb, go down the stairs, walk, run, sit down, stand up, or sit for long periods with your knees bent. Some also complain of popping or grinding sounds in their knees.
If it’s an iliotibial band syndrome, the pain is localized outside of the knee because this is where the iliotibial band is located. When these symptoms manifest, you should let a knee specialist in Wellington know.
How Do You Treat Runner’s Knee?
Your knee specialist will customize the treatment based on the cause. Thankfully, most cases can be treated without surgery.
The usual practice in addressing the runner’s knee is to rest your knee to avoid stress. Apply an ice pack over your knee for thirty minutes to minimize pain and swelling, and do not apply heat to your knee as it could only worsen the pain. Wrap an elastic bandage around your knee to control the swelling but make sure that it’s not too tight to cut circulation. Finally, elevate your knee with a pillow underneath when you’re lying down or sitting to stop the swelling.
Are You Looking For A Knee Specialist in Wellington?
If you think you have a runner’s knee but you’re not sure, we’ll take a look at it and assess your condition so we can come up with a diagnosis and a treatment plan.
At the Orthopedic Center of Palm Beach County, we offer state-of-the-art comprehensive musculoskeletal care to all patients of any age. Rest assured that we treat our patients with utmost respect and kindness. Call us at 561-967-6500 and book an appointment with Dr. Juan F. Agudelo, M.D.
