Runner’s knee also known as patellofemoral tracking syndrome can be classified as knee pain at the front of the knee, particularly around the knee cap. There are a few causes of developing patellofemoral tracking syndrome including overuse, a hit to the knee, joint misalignment, muscular imbalances, improper footwear, poor foot biomechanics, and more. This is one of those conditions that could be ongoing before pain necessarily sits in. Once the pain starts, it is important to seek attention from your chiropractor as soon as possible. There is a lot to be discussed with how this condition can be addressed, but it is important to have it looked at to prevent it from worsening or even reoccurring.
In our office, the causes mentioned above are all witnessed as mechanisms for runner’s knee. In particular, we witness a significant number of patients who tend to subject their knees to overuse. Overuse and improper movement during activity work together to accelerate pain in the region. Many people who suffer, tend to also continue to “run through the pain.” At our office, we strongly tend to encourage regular movements and exercise. In this case, we do not want to elicit this pain, but rather decrease the inflammation from the overuse.
A break from the provocative activities is a good start, but it likely will not be enough from preventing the pains to return. One of the first things you may witness at your knee exam is a functional walking assessment, where the doctor will ask you to demonstrate your normal walking. Typically this test is performed in your first assessment, and at your re-examination. Figuring out how your foot walks, and the shoes you may need can help set your leg muscles up to prevent muscle imbalances.
Once diagnosed from your exam, treatment starts! For treatment, there are many therapies that can address the condition, and each person is treated differently based on their own state in the condition. In many cases, our shockwave device is utilized to enhance the healing of the connective tissues in the knee. With treatment, one of the goals is to allow better blood flow, and more connectivity of these tissues to work together to enhance the functionality of the joint. Once this goal is achieved, active rehabilitation is utilized to get the joint moving again properly so you can continue to run! Chiropractic adjustments along with the therapeutic exercise program work hand in hand to get you back on the track. The exercises prescribed work to develop strength in muscles that need strength, as well as stretch for the overworked or over-compensated muscles that could have been contributing to the general pain. Knee and foot alignments from the chiropractic adjustment keep your joints in proper alignment to help you run “straight!”
You do not necessarily have to be a runner/track star to be experiencing a condition such as this one. In fact, many patients who suffer from this condition are not runners at all. If you are experiencing pains in this region, seek help from one of our chiropractors today. Even if your knee pain is not the same as discussed above, it is important to have an evaluation to determine what the cause of your pain is so that it can be treated accordingly. Other knee conditions are also important to have addressed in order to prevent patellofemoral tracking syndrome from taking you out of what you like or need to do.
