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 NOVEMBER 30, 2009 How to Pinpoint the Causes of Runner's Knee New research has zeroed in on what appear to be the main culprits of runner's knee. Runner's knee, also known as patellofemoral pain syndrome, affects one in four physically active people, mostly those who participate in running and jumping sports. The pain can be severe and usually will curtail your ability to exercise. But if you have a high pain threshold and ignore it, your knee cartilage may break down. If left unchecked, runner's knee can lead to more serious problems, such as knee osteoarthritis. Researchers at the University of North Carolina studied nearly 1,600 midshipmen from the United States Naval Academy, analyzing their biomechanics when they first enrolled at the academy, then following them for several years to see whether they developed runner's knee. A total of 40 participants (24 women and 16 men) developed runner's knee during the follow-up period, reports co-author Darin Padua, Ph.D., UNC Associate Professor of Exercise and Sport Science, in the November issue of the American Journal of Sports Medicine. The results show those more likely to develop runner's knee had weaker hamstring muscles, weaker quadriceps muscles, a larger flattening of the arch, and knees that bent less on landing during a jump test. You can spot whether you are at risk if your knee crosses over the big toe when you squat; the arches of your feet collapse when you land from a jump; and if you do not bend your knees much when you land. The good news is that the researchers say you can prevent or correct the problem if you can change the way you move and improve your leg strength, in particular hamstring and quadriceps muscle strength. |
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