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Runners Knee - Diagnosis and Treatment If
you (a) run and (b) have pain in the front of your knee then you may not be surprised
to learn that you have the condition known as runner's knee. Or to give it a posh
latin name "Chondromalacia of the patella" , which roughly translates as "chronic
malady of the kneecap".In actual fact it's not a condition it's a general term for a number of knee complaints all of which are characterised by, you guessed it, pain in the area of the kneecap. So what exactly causes runner's knee and what can be done about it. Looking at the x-ray on the left, the kneecap(patella) is the bit at the front, and when you walk or run it moves up and down a groove in the femur, cushioned by cartilage. If the cartilage wears or softens through excessive use, then the kneecap does not track correctly in its groove and pain ensues. Causes of Runner's Knee There are a number of reasons the cartilage can deteriorate.
Fortunately this is a condition which can be overcome with patience, common sense and a little medical help. The first and most obvious course of action is to cut back on training or even stop completely. The human body is an amazing mechanism and given rest it will heal itself. If you insist on continuing training, then choose the flattest route you possibly can and avoid hills and kerbs. If you're a track athlete try and avoid bends as much as possible. When you get pain after a training session, apply an ice pack immediately. A big bag of frozen peas will work well, and has the added benefit of amusing spectators. If you tire of getting laughed at, then ice packs or kold blue bandages are the way to go. To reduce the swelling, take an anti-inflammatory drug like Ibuprofen or Aspirin , but don't do this long term as what's the point in exercising to have a great body if you're just going to fill it with drugs. And finally, try and address the root cause of the problem. Make sure you have correctly fitting shoes and use a pair of cushioned insoles specifically designed for running. These are available from High Street chemists, but are considerably cheaper from a specialist supplier. So that's it, ease up and address the cause or carry on training and make it worse. Not a difficult choice. If of course the problem persists or worsens then seek medical advice. |
