Runner's knee is a painful condition that affects the patella. It often affects people who play sports or are highly active, but it could happen to anyone. The worst part of runner's knee is the continuous pain, which makes it difficult to climb stairs and do normal activities.
Unfortunately, runner's knee is a prevalent injury, especially among athletes – but there are ways to manage the condition and eliminate your symptoms. Conservative treatments are often enough to calm the knee and improve discomfort.
If you're tired of knee pain, Dr. Steven J. Svabek and his team offer conservative and surgical treatment options. Dr. Svabek is an orthopedic surgeon who offers sports medicine therapies and joint replacement surgery for various issues, including knee pain.
Runner's knee is a prevalent injury among athletes and active people. It happens when you experience pain around the patella or kneecap. Runner's knee is also called patellofemoral pain syndrome because it occurs where the patella and the thigh bone connect.
Many develop runner's knee over time, often from overuse or too much activity. It causes pain in the knee and other symptoms like:
You may also notice a popping sensation or cracking in the knee when you move. The symptoms of runner's knee typically develop over time and worsen without rest or treatment.
Runner's knee may be frustrating at the moment, but there's hope for relief. Many cases of runner's knee resolve with conservative measures and activity changes. The treatment you require depends on the severity of your symptoms and how you respond to therapy.
Dr. Svabek offers various treatments for sports injuries and runner's knee. Nonsurgical treatments for knee pain include:
Rest, ice, compression, and elevation are all essential therapies for the acute phase of runner's knee. It is crucial to rest the knee for a few days while icing it several times daily. Using a compression bandage and elevating the knee helps control swelling and alleviate pain.
Physical therapy is also vital to controlling runner's knee. It helps build strength in the muscles and tissues that support the knee joint to provide long-term relief. Physical therapy may also help prevent further injury or pain in the knee joint.
Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications are vital for controlling patellofemoral pain syndrome in the knee. If these aren't enough, Dr. Svabek may prescribe oral steroids to calm inflammation.
A knee brace keeps the joint aligned, which can help control pain while the knee heals. Dr. Svabek may also recommend specific braces or orthotics that take pressure off the knee cap to provide relief.
Unfortunately, you can't always prevent knee pain from happening – but you can take specific steps to avoid it. Because runner's knee often affects athletes, taking care of your body when you're active is crucial.
Prevention tips are a part of our practice, especially when keeping your knees healthy. A few of the tips Dr. Svabek recommends to prevent runner's knee include:
It's also essential to take time to rest your body, especially when you're working out hard. Resting is a crucial part of keeping injuries at bay, along with warming up, cooling down, and stretching regularly.
You should seek treatment when you notice any knee pain or discomfort. The sooner you get treatment, the less likely you'll have long-lasting repercussions from a pesky injury.
Call our Coral Springs, Florida, office to schedule a consultation with Dr. Svabek for knee pain. You can also send our team a message right here on the website.
