What is Runner’s Knee?

Our knees are complex hinge joints, designed to provide stability from side to side and smooth movement forwards and back as you walk, kick and run. The patella, or kneecap, is a small bone embedded in the tendon of the quadriceps muscle that protects the knee and also provides extra leverage to the quadriceps, amplifying their strength. The patella moves up and down in a groove at the front of the knee as the knee bends and straightens. Usually this movement is smooth, with little friction, however, if something causes the patella to move in a dysfunctional way, the soft tissue between the kneecap and the knee can become irritated, causing soreness in a typical pattern. This condition is often referred to as ‘runner’s knee’, Patellofemoral Joint Syndrome or PFPS.

What causes it?

The patella usually sits in a balanced position in the shallow groove at the front of the knee and moves easily without friction. The patella is attached to the quadriceps muscle at the top and connected to the lower leg via the patella tendon at the bottom. When the quadriceps contracts, this pulls on the patella and acts to straighten the knee. If one side of the quadriceps is stronger or tighter than the other, it can cause the kneecap to pull to one side and over time become irritated.

A common cause is a muscle imbalance or weakness on one side of the quadriceps. In most people, the outer aspect of the quadriceps tends to be stronger and tighter than the inner muscle.
Certain postures and leg positions require the outer muscles to work harder and the inside muscles to become less active. Lack of arch support in feet or simply a physical abnormality of the knee can also place stress on the movement of the patella.

What are the symptoms?

This condition is characterized by soreness felt on the inside or behind of the patella with activities that require repetitive bending of the knee. There may be a sensation of crepitus, clicking or grinding and some people report that their knee suddenly gives way. Soreness is commonly felt when running, going up and down stairs or when doing squats and is relieved with rest. The In may start as a small niggle and gradually become worse over time.
How can physiotherapy help?

Effective treatment of runner’s knee is to exclude any other conditions and have a physiotherapist confirm the diagnosis. They will determine which factors are contributing to this condition, which could include poor posture, a lack of arch support in feet or poor running technique.

Once these factors have been identified, the provision of a specific treatment program will enable the best approach your condition. PFP syndrome usually responds quite well to bio-mechanical analysis and correction of any muscular weakness and imbalance. Having the correct shoes and orthotics can also make a huge difference. There are some short-term treatments, such as patella taping, try needling, trigger point therapy and ultrasound, which may help alleviate symptoms quickly and keep you active while you address the other factors contributing to your soreness.

None of the information in this blog is a replacement for proper medical advice. Always see a medical professional for advice on your individual injury.

If you want to learn more about patella tendinopathy or get an assessment, you can book to see one of our Practitioners