Runner’s knee is a condition that is used for describing any condition causing pain around your kneecap or the patella. These conditions might involve patellofemoral malalignment, iliotibial band syndrome, anterior knee pain syndrome, and chondromalacia patella.
Harvard suggests that the condition is more prevalent in females as compared to those in males, specifical women in their 40’s and 50’s.
The Signs and Symptoms of Runner’s knee
The hallmark symptom of the runner’s knee is an aching and dull pain that radiates around the patella, especially in the meeting point of the femur or the thigh bone.
You might feel pain in your knees while you are walking, climbing stairs, kneeling, squatting, running, standing up, or sitting down. Other symptoms of the conditions involve popping, swelling, and grinding happening in the affected knee.
The Causes of Runner’s knee
Some of the causes of runner’s knee include the following:
- Overuse of the kneecap
- Trauma
- Malalignment
- Partial or complete dislocation relating to the kneecap
- Flat feet
- Tight or weak muscles of the thigh
- Incomplete stretch before doing exercise
The Treatment Options for Runner’s knee
The first line of treatment for the runner’s knee is RICE – Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation.
Rest – Don’t put stress on the affected area.
Ice – To reduce swelling and pain, you can apply an ice compress to the affected area for half an hour at one time.
Compression – Wrap the knee with the help of a bandage for restricting swelling – avoid doing any bandage too tight as it may cause swelling in the knee.
Elevation – You need to keep a pillow under the affected area as you sit or lie down to prevent swelling. Keep your foot elevated over the knee level and the knee a level above the heart.
Additional medications are given to the patient in case of rapid pain relief. These include NSAIDs or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, including naproxen, ibuprofen, and aspirin. Moreover, acetaminophen might also be helpful. You might want to ask your doctor before you start getting any medications, especially when you have any health conditions or you are taking any kind of prescription medicine.
If you have any of the symptoms mentioned above, telemedicine makes it possible for you to get the care you deserve. Schedule a virtual consultation with a Telakai Health online Provider and get on the road to recovery. Schedule your visit today.
