Runner's Knee
(Chondromalacia Patella)
Runners
Knee refers to pain primarily on the inside of the
knee, or beneath the kneecap can also occur. It is more
commonly seen in runners as opposed to walkers due to high level
of activity, particularly mileage. The key element in this
injury is due to overpronation resulting in poor tracking
of the patella causing a repeated stress of the bone moving abnormally
from side to side over the groove of the thigh bone (femur), gradually
softening the cartilage under the kneecap. The result is the surface
of the joint can become rough. Pain may be just a prelude
to further destruction of the surface (traumatic arthritis). This
injury can be confused with "Patella tendonitis"
which is usually pain beneath the Chondromalacia Patella bone.
In either case it is the "tracking"* of
either the bone or tendon which needs to be addressed.
Other causes of this injury can be:
-
Weak quads
-
Muscle imbalance
-
Direct or repeated trauma
-
An untreated ligament injury
- Running on a banked surface (similar to ITB
Syndrome)
-
History of trauma
To treat:
-
Decrease activity
-
Rest if pain and swelling
-
Ice (for 15-20 minutes)
-
Aspirin or Ibuprofen
-
Physiotherapy
Silicone Dynamic Orthotics minimizes overpronation of the arch
and lateral motion at the knee, allowing for more efficient tracking
of the patella tendon in function.
* Tracking is the most efficient line from origin to insertion that the muscle-tendon
unit can travel under repeated action.
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