Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) – also known as runners’ knee – is the most common injury experienced by runners. It accounts for approximately 20 percent of all running injuries.
However, runners’ knee affects more people that just runners. If you regularly carry out activities where you bend your knees a lot, such as walking or bike riding, you too can be affected.
How to Identify Runners Knee
If you have runners knee you will likely feel pain under, slightly above or below your kneecap. The pain usually feels worse when you run, walk or cycle up or down hill. You might also hear an unsettling popping or cracking noise when exercising as well.
According to the British Journal of Sports Medicine, Runner's knee mostly affects younger runners and twice as many women as men.
Why Do You Experience Knee Pain After Running?
Identifying the exact cause of patellofemoral pain syndrome is tricky. For some people it could be an abnormal knee structure, and for others it could be due to worn down cartilage in the knee joint.
Tight leg muscles, poor running form and a weak core can also put pressure on your knee and cause your patella (knee cap) to move out of alignment.
The best news about runner’s knee is that it’s relatively harmless.
Preventing Runners Knee
To help prevent runner's knee follow these simple tips:
