Avid runners aren’t the only ones who can develop runner’s knee. In fact, it’s a common problem among a good majority of the population due to a variety of factors.
About Runner’s Knee
Before you can get treatment, however, you have to get a firm diagnosis. Then you can receive the appropriate runner’s knee treatment from a joint doctor with years of experience. The knee specialists near me at the Spine & Rehab Group know the right questions to ask and the right tests to run to determine that the cause of your pain is runner’s knee. Don’t hesitate to call for an appointment.
What Is Runner’s Knee?
Runner’s knee, sometimes referred to as patellofemoral pain syndrome, causes pain around and under your kneecap, called the patella. This condition affects people across all ages, although it’s more common in active adults. Runner’s knee describes a broad range of symptoms in the front, or anterior, part of the knee. The pain may be caused by a variety of knee problems.
The patellofemoral joint is a critical component of your knee joint. Your kneecap sits on a saddle joint, allowing it to slide along the femur during knee movement. You use this joint when walking on an incline, climbing and multiple other knee movements. An injury to this joint can cause pain and mobility issues that stop you from doing everyday tasks.
Runner’s knee affects your movements and quality of life. The experienced team at the Spine & Rehab Group in New York City and northern New Jersey, led by board-certified, Harvard trained Dr. Amr Hosny, diagnose and treat a comprehensive range of back pain, spine problems, knee injuries, sports injuries and other painful conditions.
Does Runner’s Knees Affect Athletes Only?
The term runner’s knee implies this is a problem only for runners or athletes.
But there are other causes of pressure on the patella that leads to pain, including:
Bone stress, causing lesions of the cartilage under the kneecap
Repeated exposure to patellofemoral pressure
Weak and unbalanced thigh muscles
Foot problems, including hypermobile feet and fallen arches
High-stress exercises, including lunges and plyometrics
A breakdown of the cartilage under your kneecap
Impact during exercises like running
Knee trauma from a direct hit on the kneecap
Malalignment of bones from the hips to your ankles
Sports that involve jumping, such as basketball
During your consultation, a joint doctor looks at your medical history and carries out tests to evaluate the condition of your knee. The report from these findings, in conjunction with a medical history and an understanding of your lifestyle, helps your physician determine how to fix your runner’s knee.
Any exercises that lead to overuse of the knee joint increases your risk of runner’s knee. Runners are most at risk of developing the condition, which affects up to 15 percent of this category of athletes at some point in their running careers.
Other risk factors include:
Certain anatomy or body types
Intense training
Overuse of the knee
Tight muscles, such as hamstrings, calves, quadriceps and the iliotibial band outside the thigh
Problems with kneecap alignment
Gender, as women have an increased risk of runner’s knee because of wider hips and different knee alignment
Underdeveloped thighs or hip muscles
Poor use of sports training equipment or improper sports training techniques
Changes in footwear
Obesity, resulting in excessive pressure on your knees
Playing sports on hard surfaces
If you’re at risk and you’ve experienced some nagging knee pain, it’s possible that you have runner’s knee. The pain doctors at the Spine & Rehab Group in NYC and NJ have the best equipment for a quick and correct diagnosis. If you have runner’s knee, they provide effective, non-surgical treatment.
patient TESTIMONIALS★★★★★
I used their physical therapy department about 4 years ago after knee replacement surgery and recently after back surgery. Beth the head therapist is very professional and thorough in putting together a physical therapy program to match your specific requirements within your Dr's guidelines. Therapy is done in a caring but firm manner so that if you follow their therapy regiment you will truly see results. Oh , they also have an antigravity treadmill which is really fantastic after knee surgery. Highly recommended.
Edward C.★★★★★
From my first visit I felt comfortable because I was treated great from the start . Dr. Hosny helped me with my lower back pain and three years later I'm still fine. Now I'm back for my knee pain with Dr. Metha , they use the latest technique and equipment. All of the staff is fantastic, they go out of there way to help . Come here and talk to them they might have a better solution than surgery.
Many people ignore knee pain or try home-based pain management remedies, but this may only exacerbate the knee damage.
You may have runner’s knee if you experience symptoms that include:
Aching pain in and around the kneecap
Swelling, rubbing, grinding or clicking sounds coming from your kneecap
Kneecap is tender to the touch
Pain during movements or activities that require bending your knee
Pain after sitting for extended periods of time with your knees bent
Crackling or popping sounds in your knee when you stand up or climb stairs
Pain that worsens with changes in sports equipment, playing surface or training intensity
While these are signs of runner’s knee, the doctors at the Spine & Rehab Group recommend tests to rule out other knee injuries and conditions that cause knee pain, such as:
After a diagnosis, your doctor determines how to treat your runner’s knee.
Some effective runner’s knee treatment options include:
Rest, ice, compression and knee elevation
Physical therapy exercises
Taping and bracing for runners in action
Over-the-counter pain medications, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Special shoe inserts called orthotics to stabilize and align your foot and ankle
Surgical options as a last resort, such as arthroscopy
The team at the Spine & Rehab Group leverages the latest diagnostic tests and medical technology. They know how to heal runner’s knee. These doctors are specialists in spine and joint conditions that cause you pain. Contact the team today to get the best treatment for your painful knee. With three locations in New York City and five more across Bergen County, Morris County and Union County, New Jersey, you can find one near you.Page Updated on Dec 9, 2024 by Dr. Hosny (Interventional Spine Specialist) of The Spine & Rehab Group
Dr. Hosny is a distinguished physician, educator, and healthcare leader with a commitment to advancing health equity and accessibility in the rapidly evolving landscape of modern healthcare. After completing his residency at St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital Center, affiliated with Columbia University in New York City, he pursued an Interventional Spine Fellowship at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, part of Harvard Medical School in Boston, MA.
Dr. Hosny has held prominent roles in academic medicine, including serving as an Associate Clinical Professor at New York Medical College and as the Interventional Spine Fellowship Program Director. These positions reflect his dedication to mentoring the next generation of healthcare professionals and advancing the field of interventional spine care.
CONTENT DISCLAIMER The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only. It is not intended as definitive treatment advice. It's essential to consult a board-certified pain specialist regarding any questions or concerns. Always seek a thorough evaluation for an accurate diagnosis and tailored treatment plan. To schedule a consultation, please contact our office directly.
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Runner’s knee, sometimes referred to as patellofemoral pain syndrome, causes pain around and under your kneecap, called the patella. This condition affects people across all ages, although it’s more common in active adults. Runner’s knee describes a broad range of symptoms in the front, or anterior, part of the knee. The pain may be caused by a variety of knee problems.
The patellofemoral joint is a critical component of your knee joint. Your kneecap sits on a saddle joint, allowing it to slide along the femur during knee movement. You use this joint when walking on an incline, climbing and multiple other knee movements. An injury to this joint can cause pain and mobility issues that stop you from doing everyday tasks.
Runner’s knee affects your movements and quality of life. The experienced team at the Spine & Rehab Group in New York City and northern New Jersey, led by board-certified, Harvard trained Dr. Amr Hosny, diagnose and treat a comprehensive range of back pain, spine problems, knee injuries, sports injuries and other painful conditions.
Amr Hosny, MD, MBA, FASA
David Chu, MD, FAAPMR
Vivek Mehta, MD, FAAPMR
Deepali Gupta, MD, DABA, DABPM
