What is Runner’s Knee?

Runner’s Knee can refer to a number of injuries resulting from overuse,
causing pain around the knee cap (patella).

Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is the most common type of Runner’s Knee. It’s name comes from it’s high prevalence in runners, where the repeated stress on the knee causes irritation where the patella rests on the thigh bone.

The pain can be sudden and piercing or chronic and dull.

Runner’s Knee is most likely to occur when the hamstrings and quadriceps are too tight and inflexible. This leaves the patella unsupported creating pressure and causing it to move from its correct position.

Runner’s Knee can be related to tension or weakness in the hip (gluteus
medius muscle).

What Are the Symptoms of Runner’s Knee?

Symptoms may be felt in one or both knees

• Pain will centre around and behind the patella
• When you bend your knee from kneeling, squatting or even getting up from a chair
• Sometimes you may experience a cracking sensation
• The knee seems to give way
• It is more painful when walking down hill or downstairs

Who Is Prone to Runner’s Knee?

• Women are more likely to get Runner’s Knee than men. This is due to their
• wider hips which causes a greater angling of the knee to the thighbone,
• creating increased stress on the knee cap.
• Younger runners (teens) as well as those who run for recreational purposes tend to suffer most
• Hikers, cyclists and even ofice workers - those who sit for long periods can get Runner’s Knee
• As many as 40% of professional cyclists will develop a form of Runner’s Knee once a year
• It typically affects athletes whose activities require repeated bending of the knee, e.g. jumping, biking and walking.