Knee pain should i stop running

The most common site for pain in recreational runners is the knee. For some, especially older runners, the pain can be a symptom of osteoarthritis. But does running worsen knee pain and osteoarthritis? A study from Canada shows that many people — including health professionals — believe running might be harmful to knee joints, particularly in people with knee osteoarthritis.

One in two people believes that the repetitive loading associated with running, especially frequent or long-distance running, will speed up the deterioration caused by knee osteoarthritis and shorten the time to having the knee surgically replaced with an artificial joint.

But are these fears about running supported by science? Recreational exercise does not seem to be harmful to knee cartilage. Running forces you to load each leg one at a time with your full body weight, plus the force of gravity.

Anything you feel while walking will be exaggerated and intensified with running, making your knee, along with the rest of your body, more vulnerable to injury. A physical therapist can analyze your movement, look at your gait and the mechanics of your whole body, and identify what may be the true source of the problem.

Why did one knee get injured and not the other? Maybe it's because of chronic weakness in that one hip. Maybe that ankle sprain 10 years ago made you favor one side. Simply getting a diagnosis from an M. Schedule a visit with a physical therapist or an M.

Thankfully, most running-related knee injuries are from overuse and not traumatic accidents, which means there are ways to intervene. For many runners, knee pain is just part of the sport they love. Runners more commonly injure the medial meniscus inside of the knee rather than the lateral meniscus outside of the knee. Symptoms of a meniscus tear include general knee pain, swelling all over the knee, a popping sensation during the injury, knee stiffness especially after sitting , a feeling as though your knee is locked in place when you try to move it, and difficulty bending and straightening that leg.

Many people are able to continue walking with a meniscus tear. You may even be able to continue running with a meniscus tear, although it is not recommended. If you suspect a meniscus tear, it is best to visit your healthcare provider to get a proper diagnosis. During an exam, they will evaluate your knee and may recommend diagnostic imaging, such as an x-ray or MRI. They will also conduct a test called the McMurray test to assess the range of motion and classify the severity of the tear.

Treatment for meniscal tears depends on the size and location of the tear. Sometimes small tears heal on their own with the proper self-care. Treatment for more severe tears can include a meniscectomy removal of the meniscus or meniscal repair usually a minimally invasive procedure. Recovery following surgical treatment usually consists of bracing the knee and non-weight-bearing activities for four to six weeks and a rehabilitation program.

The best treatment will depend on several factors, including the severity of your tear, your age, your activity level, and your willingness to comply with treatment. The current trend in the management of the condition is to try to save the meniscus rather than to remove it with surgery. Non-surgical management of a meniscus tear usually includes anti-inflammatory medication and icing your knee to reduce pain and swelling. Ice your knee for 15—20 minutes every three to four hours for two to three days or until the pain and swelling are gone.

Your healthcare provider may recommend physical therapy for some gentle strengthening and stretching exercises. To avoid meniscus tears in the future, make sure you're wearing the correct running shoes for your foot and running style since wearing the wrong shoes may make you vulnerable to falls or twisting your knee.

Do exercises to strengthen the muscles that support and stabilize the knees so you keep the knees more injury-resistant. If you're feeling pain over the top of your kneecap or on the inner side of your knee below the joint, you may be dealing with knee bursitis. This is an inflammation of a bursa located near your knee joint.

A bursa is a small, fluid-filled, pad-like sac that reduces friction and cushions pressure points between your bones, tendons, and muscles around your joints. In runners, overuse may lead to pain and inflammation in the pes anserine bursa, located on the inner side of your knee about two to three inches below the joint. When a bursa is inflamed, the affected part of your knee may feel warm, tender, or swollen when you put pressure on it. You may also feel pain when you move or even at rest.

Walking up stairs may become difficult. An examination of the knee by your healthcare provider will help to properly diagnose the condition, as symptoms of pes anserine bursitis are similar to those of a stress fracture. To ease the discomfort of knee bursitis, you can use the R. In some cases, your healthcare provider may recommend a steroid injection to relieve pain. Physical therapy is often recommended and usually involves a program of stretching, strengthening, ice, and pain-relieving treatments.

Physical therapy may alleviate pain and prevent future occurrences of knee bursitis. More invasive treatments for knee bursitis treatment may include aspiration or surgery. A Baker's cyst, also known as a popliteal synovial cyst, is swelling that occurs at the back of the knee. You may feel pain, but it is more likely that you will feel tightness or stiffness in the area and a sensation of fullness. You are also likely to see a bulge. These cysts may occur as the result of osteoarthritis or meniscus tears.

Baker's cysts are not specifically associated with running, and runners are not necessarily at higher risk for the condition, but because the condition is usually the result of an underlying issue, runners may end up with the cyst. If you suspect a Baker's cyst, reach out to your healthcare provider to get a proper diagnosis and determine the underlying cause. Some of these cysts go away without treatment, but it will be important to address the underlying issue.

In rare cases, the cysts can burst, so be sure to contact your healthcare provider if you see redness or severe swelling in the area. Whether you're looking to run faster, further, or just start to run in general, we have the best tips for you.

Sign up and become a better runner today! Iliotibial band syndrome in runners: A systematic review. Sports Med. When this happens:. It may also be a good idea to take part in a strengthening and motor retraining program, or physical therapy and exercises to fortify your knees as well as other parts of your body. Orthotics, taping, and manual therapy such as massage, myofascial release and trigger point therapy may also help. It happens when the tendon from your hip to outer knee tightens and irritates your outer knee area, causing pain.

It may be a good idea to have an analysis of your running stance, technique and footwear at this point. Having an expert evaluate and tweak your technique can help tremendously. A strengthening program, physical therapy and exercises, and manual therapy such as trigger point work can help, too.