Well the saying goes as long as you can stand there will be knee injuries. There is a term specifically named runner’s knee which causes can be self-explanatory.

High Percentage of Runners Suffer from Runner’s Knee

A general study done on participants to a marathon showed that up to about 60% incurred some forms of physical injury while in preparation running up to the race. It is not surprising to note that all these forms of injury were related to the lower limb, one third of those affect the knee. In generalizing these findings from various races around the globe the study revealed that on average the these running injuries affect the knee with more than 40%, followed by the ankle and the foot region at over 15% and lastly the lower leg.

These findings should not have surprised anyone. Most people would have rubbed it off with off the shelves topical medicated pain relief creams. Most people participated in races for more than one reasons. Most participants in marathon run for the fun of it. Some do it for fitness endurances while others run for the sake of relieving stress. Most runners may not be aware that for every step taken in any running activities the weight acted upon the knees and legs are up to 3 times of the body weight.

Causes of Knee Injuries

Added to that any cross-country races actually put up more stresses on the legs. Further compounding these stresses are those basics tools such as a good pair of running shoes and even warming up exercises prior to the races. The list is long but it is not difficult to understand why a good pair of running shoes with good cushioning sole is important, or at least helps.

Injury as a result of running may sometimes never appear as evident as it show be, not at least after serious pain surfaces. The one most common injury is what we commonly called “Runner’s knee”. It may at times be referred to as Anterior Knee Injury or even Patello-Femoral Pain Syndrome. Not surprising this injury is the most talked about injury that top the list of leg injuries as almost 40% and 70% of male and female athletes are affected by it respectively in the survey.

The causes are often due to the excessive lateral (outward) tracking of the knee cap (patellar) which can be result of the rigid musculoskeletal structures or poor muscle control at the hip. Over time the cartilage may wear off with the frequency and repetitive usage of the knees.

Treatment for Runner’s Knee

Typical treatment for runner’s knee;

• Resting, icing, and topical pain relief or anti-inflammation medications in the short term
• Biomechanical examination or MRI scans if necessary
• Strengthening inner quadriceps and hip muscles over long term
• Choosing a good and suitable running shoes or customized running shoes
• Platelet-Rich Plasma procedure if cartilage is damaged