How is runners knee causes

This is where the knee connects with the lower end of the thighbone femur. Runner's knee may be caused by a structural defect, or a certain way of walking or running. Other causes may include:. Pain in and around the kneecap that happens when you are active. Or pain after sitting for a long time with the knees bent. This sometimes causes weakness or feelings of instability.

Rubbing, grinding, or clicking sound of the kneecap that you hear when you bend and straighten your knee. The symptoms of runner's knee may look like other conditions and health problems. Patellofemoral pain syndrome PFP syndrome is pain in and around the kneecap patella. PFP syndrome is also called "runner's knee. Rest and exercises that stretch and strengthen the hips and legs can help PFP syndrome get better. Patellofemoral pronounced: peh-tel-oh-FEM-er-ul pain syndrome is an overuse disorder.

These happen when someone does the same movements that stress the knee over and over again. In PFP syndrome, repeated bending and straightening the knee stresses the kneecap. It's most common in athletes. Some people with PFP syndrome have a kneecap that is out of line with the thighbone femur. The kneecap can get out of line, or wiggle as it moves along the thighbone, because of muscle weakness, trauma, or another problem.

If this happens, the kneecap doesn't glide smoothly over the thighbone when the knee bends and straightens. The kneecap gets injured and this causes the pain of PFP syndrome.

Patellofemoral pain syndrome usually happens in people who do sports that involve a lot of knee bending and straightening, such as running , biking , and skiing. It also can happen to people, particularly young women, who do not do a lot of sports.

Read on for treatments and prevention tips for runner's knees. With expertise from:. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. Sharing is caring! Sign up today! Please enter a valid email address. Trending Now. You May Also Like. Osgood-Schlatter disease is an inflammation of the area just below the knee. Learn about the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment for this disease. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect.

Medically reviewed by William Morrison, M. Read this next. Medically reviewed by Alana Biggers, M. Essential Stretches for Runners Stretching before you run can help prevent injury.