Do I Have Runner’s Knee?
Have you been dealing with knee pain that worsens when you walk up or down stairs? Is your knee swollen or tender to the touch? If any of these symptoms sound familiar, you may be dealing with runner’s knee.
Dr. Bobby Bilitsis at Prestige Health and Wellness recommends that patients promptly treat runner’s knee to put an end to painful symptoms and stop it from worsening.
Runner’s knee feels like:
- Knee pain
- Tenderness around the kneecap
- Knee swelling
Below, let’s explore what runner’s knee is, its common causes, and non-surgical treatment options.
What is Runner’s Knee?
Runner’s knee, also commonly referred to as patellofemoral pain syndrome (or PFPS), is an overuse injury that affects the knee. The incidence rate for this condition in the United States is 3%-6%. Research suggests that there is a higher prevalence of this condition in women compared to their male counterparts. The central location for the pain can be in the knee or around the kneecap and is thought to stem from the kneecap itself rubbing against the thigh bone with movement.
Symptoms of Runner’s Knee
Runner’s knee can cause painful and debilitating symptoms in one or both knees. The most common indicators of this condition include:
- Pain and tenderness around the knee worsen when the knee is flexed (prolonged sitting, walking down the stairs, squatting, etc.)
- Pain that worsens when increasing activity intensity
- Crackling in the joints
- Swelling in the knee area
Runner’s Knee: Causes and Risk Factors
With runner’s knee being an overuse injury, it’s commonly seen in sports. In fact, runner’s knee accounts for 25% to 40% of all knee problems discovered in sports medicine clinics. Other causes and risk factors for this condition include:
- Age (particularly in adolescents and adults in their 20s or 30s)
- Thigh and hip muscle imbalances
- Poor alignment
- Trauma to the knee
- Improper footwear
- Training errors for athletes
Non-surgical Treatment for Runner’s Knee in Manhattan
If you’re looking for some much-needed relief from runner’s knee pain and prefer a holistic approach, you’re at the right place. Our non-surgical treatment options include:
Physical Therapy in NYC
For many patients, physical therapy is one of the first interventions for runner’s knee. It’s efficient and effective, with research even backing that joint mobilizations help decrease pain when combined with other interventions.
If you come to Prestige Health and Wellness, our Manhattan physiotherapists may perform various techniques, including hamstring strengthening and leg extensions, to improve knee stability. Our goal is to strengthen the knee and surrounding muscles so you can move around safely.
Occupational Therapy for Runner’s Knee
Occupational therapy modalities for runner’s knee involve implementing specific exercises to improve knee alignment, reduce strain on the kneecap, and decrease swelling. Our occupational therapists may also recommend changes in footwear and proper running forms. This intervention aims to help you perform daily functions with minimal pain.
Acupuncture in Manhattan
Our acupuncture service has helped many of our patients greatly alleviate nagging knee pain. One study found that after 5 weeks of acupuncture sessions, volunteers noticed a considerable decrease in pain levels.
Chiropractic Care for Runner’s Knee
Chiropractic care isn’t just about treating your symptoms; it’s also about finding the root cause of your injury. In runner’s knee cases, pain often stems from misalignment in the body, so we may need to try various spinal and joint alignment approaches to bring you relief.
Massage Therapy in NYC
Muscle tension release, pain relief, and flexibility enhancements are just a few of the ways massage therapy can address runner’s knee. You should notice reduced symptoms by helping to release stress on the joints and stimulating blood flow to the affected areas.
Alleviate Runner’s Knee Pain in Manhattan
Unresolved runner’s knee doesn’t just lead to pain. It can also cause instability and weakness, affecting your ability to have a happy and healthy life. Therefore, don’t wait. Get treatment for knee pain in Manhattan at Prestige Health and Wellness.
Book an appointment for runner’s knee treatment in Manhattan today. If you have any questions about our treatment options, please don’t hesitate to call our office at 212-393-4673.
We look forward to seeing you at one of our locations in Manhattan NYC: