Ask any runner, athlete, sports star or active individual what one of their greatest stumbling blocks is and you might hear similar answers: knee pain. Whether you’re a dedicated bicyclist, avid speed walker, soccer junkie or long-distance runner, knee pain is incredibly frustrating.
If you start having knee pain while running or exercising, you may be (understandably) worried. Luckily, many exercise-related aches and pains can be resolved with proper management so that you can get back to your active lifestyle as soon as possible. Keep reading to learn more.
What Causes Knee Pain?
There are several knee injuries that can cause pain while running. Overuse injuries are the most common type.
Runner’s knee
Runner’s knee — also called patellofemoral pain syndrome — is a common overuse injury in runners and other active people. It’s characterized by pain in front of, around or behind the kneecap (patella). The main symptom of runner’s knee is pain that worsens during activities like walking, running, standing up, squatting, kneeling or climbing stairs. Swelling, stiffness, and popping or grinding sounds could also be present.
The primary cause of runner’s knee is overuse from activities that place repeated stress on the knee joint. Doing too much too soon inflames and irritates the tissues that surround the kneecap, leading to pain and swelling. Overuse can also cause the cartilage under the kneecap to soften and deteriorate.
Iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS)
ITBS is another common overuse injury among athletes. It’s characterized by pain on the outside of the knee that usually appears and worsens while you’re exercising. Some swelling and a popping or snapping sound could also be present.
Overuse is the primary cause of ITBS. The iliotibial band is a thick band of tissue that runs from the outer hip to the outer knee. Pain, swelling, inflammation and tightness develop from the friction of the IT band repeatedly crossing over the knee during activity.
Patellar tendinitis
Jumper’s knee — also called patellar tendinitis — is yet another overuse injury that athletes frequently develop. The primary symptom is pain between the kneecap and shinbone. Pain is usually worse with movements like jumping, walking, kneeling, running, standing up and climbing stairs. Some swelling might be present.
Jumper’s knee is caused by overuse from repeated stress on the patellar tendon. The patellar tendon is the kneecap that connects the kneecap to the shinbone. Excessive running and jumping can irritate and inflame the tendon, and cause tiny tears to develop.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis develops when the cartilage covering the joint surfaces in the knee begins to break down and erode. Cartilage erosion causes pain, swelling, stiffness, and inflammation in the joint. In the early stages of the disease, osteoarthritis symptoms may only be present during activities like walking, running or exercising. Over time, progressive joint degeneration leads to more severe pain, pain during rest, and loss of range of motion in the knee. Activities like running may become more difficult and painful.
Osteoarthritis is primarily an age-related disease. Normal wear and tear causes joints to degenerate over time. However, a history of knee injuries — like the ones listed above — can increase your chances of developing osteoarthritis.
Is It Safe to Run With Knee Pain?
All too often, runners, athletes and other active individuals “power through” pain to continue practicing their sport or exercise. But that’s usually not in your best interest — continuing to exercise on a painful knee without addressing an underlying injury can lead to a chronic injury or chronic pain down the road.
If you’re consistently experiencing pain while running or exercising, the first steps you should take are R.I.C.E. — rest, ice, compression and elevation. If you continue to have knee pain, it’s time to seek help from an orthopedic doctor or sports medicine specialist. A sports medicine doctor can evaluate and treat your injury and provide tips and exercises to help you prevent future injuries.
As to whether or not you can keep running during the treatment process — heed your doctor’s advice and only return to sports or running once your physician gives the OK.
When Do I Contact iO-Core for Knee Pain?
Contact us if you’re experiencing chronic pain and loss of movement from arthritis or a non-healing knee injury, or if you’ve been told that joint replacement surgery is the only treatment option left for you.
Our team can help you determine if the iO-Core™ procedure is a viable treatment option for you. iO-Core™ is a minimally invasive procedure that combines orthopedics and biologics to treat degenerating cartilage and underlying bone and tissue damage caused by arthritis and joint injuries.
Treating the underlying damage and not just the surface layer of cartilage has shown better results over “standard of care” methods in decreasing pain and improving mobility for many patients. Many people who were told they needed a total joint replacement surgery have found long-term pain relief from iO-Core™ instead.
Call our team today to see if you qualify for the iO-Core™ procedure.
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