Patellofemoral Stress Syndrome (Runner’s Knee)

Patellofemoral Stress Syndrome (Runner’s Knee)

Runner’s knee means that you have dull pain around the front of the knee (patella). This is where the knee connects with the lower end of the thighbone (femur).

Risk Factors

Runner’s knee may be caused by a structural defect, or a certain way of walking or running. Other causes may include:

• A kneecap that is too high in the knee joint
• Weak thigh muscles
• Tight hamstrings
• Tight Achilles tendons
• Poor foot support
• Walking or running with the feet rolling in while the thigh muscles pull the kneecap outward
• Excessive training or overuse
• Injury

Treatments

Treatment will depend on your symptoms, age, and general health. It will also depend on how severe the condition is.

The best course of treatment for runner’s knee is to stop running until you can run again without pain. Other treatment may include:

• Cold packs
• Elevating the leg
• Compression knee wrap
• Medicines such as ibuprofen
• Stretching exercises
• Strengthening exercises
• Arch support in shoes