Have you heard of runner’s knee?
Chondromalacia patellae, also known as runner’s knee, is a chronic orthopedic condition, is very prevalent among young and middle-aged adults (20-50 years old).
You may think that a young person is in the pink of health and should not be suffering from knee pain common in the elderly. However, the harsh reality is that many young individuals endure knee pain or their legs may suddenly give way when mounting the stairs. On chilly, rainy days, some people have trouble squatting and their kneecaps feel unpleasant. Recurrent swelling (“water in the knee”) is common in more serious cases, and it’s difficult to get rid of in the long run. What exactly is going on?
What is “runner’s knee”?
The term “runner’s knee” refers to a variety of conditions that produce pain around the kneecap, also known as the patella. Anterior knee discomfort syndrome, patellofemoral malalignment, chondromalacia patella, and iliotibial band syndrome are among these diseases.
What is the cause for “runner’s knee”?
To understand this condition, we need to first understand the patella, colloquially known as the knee-cap. In front of our knee, the round bone is our knee cap. The knee-cap is “encased” in four quadriceps muscles – rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus intermedius, and vastus medialis. The knee-cap is essential as it acts as an anatomic pulley for the quadricep muscles during knee extension. ¼ of the cases of knee joint pain is caused by the knee-cap.
What are some of the signs and symptoms of runner’s knee?
When you are active, you may experience pain in and around your kneecap. Or soreness from sitting with the knees bent for an extended period of time. When you bend and straighten your knee, you’ll hear a rubbing, grinding, or clicking sound from your kneecap. Touchable tenderness in the kneecap.
Why would the knee-cap suddenly soften?
Chondromalacia patellae is the medical term for this condition. If you’ve ever eaten pork bones, you’re aware that they contain cartilage. The frictional surface of our joints is cartilage, which is smooth and shiny. The cartilage will degenerate or become injured over time due to wear and tear. The degree of deterioration differs as well. The cartilage softens in the early stages. It thins out and falls off after that. At this stage, there is yet hope!
Is Runner’s Knee a Serious Condition?
It affects runners the most, but it can also impact other energetic persons who engage in activities like cycling and hiking. After a few months of rehab, most people recover entirely from Runner’s Knee, albeit it is an injury that can become chronic if not managed properly.
Is it true that Runner’s Knee goes away?
Runner’s knee usually goes away on its own. You should be able to resume jogging in no time if you follow the RICE protocol (rest, icing, compression, and elevation). If all else fails, Sin Kang TCM will do a complete diagnosis and find the right treatment for the patient.
How long does Runner’s knee last?
With adequate therapy and rest, patellofemoral syndrome can usually be totally recovered in 4-6 weeks. Due to the complexity of Runner’s knee, the primary reason may vary from person to person.
Is it possible to walk with runner’s knee?
When bending the knee — for example, when walking, kneeling, crouching, or jogging — the discomfort is usually severe. If someone has runner’s knee, walking or running downhill or even down a flight of stairs might cause agony. Sitting for long periods of time with your knee bent, such as in a movie theater, can also be harmful.
Is it necessary for me to stop running if my knee hurts?
If you have knee pain, you should not run. Consult our physician or therapist if the discomfort persists after a week of rest. The reason of your knee pain and how bad it is will determine when you can resume running.
Knee Care Tips you can do at home
Here are some tips for knee care tips that you can do at home:
- Place your palm on your knee cap and gently squeeze your knee cap with your fingers in all directions.
- Please visit your therapist regularly.
- Do appropriate exercise and avoid cold food and drinks.
Authored by Mr. Lam
