Summer is the perfect time to get out and run. However, a common overuse injury that occurs in running is called runner’s knee. What is runner’s knee? It’s a term used to describe a dull, aching pain around or behind the knee cap. This is often caused by running but can be caused by any other activity that is particularly strenuous on your knees. This can include activities such as walking, biking, jumping, cycling, skiing, or playing soccer. Women are at higher risk for runner’s knee, and being overweight also increases your risk for this.

We’re here to share some tips on how to prevent runner’s knee so that you can enjoy an active summer with little to no knee pain.

Make sure to ease into your exercise. Warming up sufficiently before exercise as well as stretching thoroughly after exercise can decrease your risk of getting runner’s knee and a variety of other injuries.
Mix your exercise up. Varying the types of exercise you do can safeguard you from overuse injuries such as runner’s knee. For example, rather than running every day, you could switch up your routine to include biking and swimming. Alternate different kinds of exercise to decrease your risk of runner’s knee.
Make sure you have the right gear. The right kind of running shoe for your specific gait and needs can help to decrease your risk for overuse injuries. As your shoes are worn down, know when you need to purchase new ones to ensure they are providing the support you need.
Be aware of your surroundings. You’re more likely to develop an injury like runner’s knee when you play sports or exercise on uneven or hard surfaces. Try alternating surfaces as you run and play sports.
Don’t delay treatment. If you suspect that you’ve injured yourself and are experiencing symptoms of runner’s knee, don’t hesitate to reach out to a doctor for medical care. As you rest and follow your treatment plan, you’ll be able to recover much more quickly than if you kept exercising and tried to ignore the pain.

How Dr. Larson Can Help

Dr. Larson is experienced in sports and knee injuries. He has seen it all, through his numerous years of experience and can provide a diagnosis and treatment plan for you so you can get back in the game. If you notice symptoms of runner’s knee or you’re experiencing any other kind of joint pain from exercising, you can trust Dr. Larson to provide a correct diagnosis and work with you through recovery. Depending on the severity of your injury, Dr. Larson will recommend anything from conservative treatment to surgery. No matter what your treatment plan is, you can rest assured that Dr. Larson has your best interest and recovery in mind.

To schedule your appointment with him, please give us a call at 435-774-8512.

What We Are Doing To Keep You Safe From COVID-19

Here in Dr. Larson’s office, we are doing everything we can to ensure patient safety. We are prepared for the challenges COVID-19 presents and want to keep you updated on what we’re doing to keep you safe. We are following CDC guidelines in regard to the disinfection of surfaces and rooms and are doing our best to practice social distancing to minimize the spread of COVID-19. Although elective surgeries have been canceled/postponed, we are still offering consultations to help ease the pain and discomfort associated with musculoskeletal system disorders. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Larson, please call (435)787-2000. As always, we have the health and safety of our patients as our top priority. Together, we can do our best to limit the spread of illness such as COVID-19.

Runner’s Knee Prevention