Knee hurts after running: what to do and why pain appears

The situation when a knee hurts after running is familiar to many athletes, especially those who prefer long distances. In the world of sports medicine there is even a collective name for this problem - "runner's knee". What is hidden behind this diagnosis, when an athlete should start worrying and how to prevent pain - this article is about this!

Causes of knee pain

Before figuring out what to do, let's figure out why knees can hurt after running. The cause is not always trauma or serious illness, but the symptom should never be ignored.

Let's remember what a knee is. This is one of the most difficult joints in the human body, which takes on a tremendous load. The joint connects the thigh and lower leg and is responsible for the general mobility of the lower limb. The design is unique - it gently holds the weight of the human body, and not only at rest, but also under load. During the run, the latter increases greatly.

Let's single out 3 groups of reasons why knees hurt after running or training:

• Pathological processes in the joint;
• Damage to the ligamentous apparatus;
• Inflammatory processes in the patella.

These causes of knee pain after running are most often due to excessive exercise. The athlete ignores the pain, continues to train, thereby aggravating the situation. Other options are non-adherence to running technique, uncomfortable shoes, uneven ground.

We propose to reveal these groups and list all possible situations due to which athletes have knee pain.

1. Meniscus injury. It is thin cartilage that is responsible for cushioning and stabilizing the joint. If your knees hurt on the inside after running, you could stretch, or worse, tear the meniscus. In this case, at first, acute pain is felt, then the leg swells, it becomes difficult to step on it.
2. Dislocation of the patella. A common reason that many runners know firsthand. By the way, it is this pain that they tend to ignore, due to its low intensity. Blamed on fatigue or overload. The symptom quickly passes, as a rule, by the next workout, and the athlete, as if nothing had happened, continues to exercise. As a result of systematic dislocations, the ligaments stretch and the knee becomes less stable. The risk of serious injury increases significantly.
3. When the outside knee hurts after running, there is a possibility of damage to the lateral or collateral ligament.
4. Beginners often look for an answer to the question - why do their legs hurt below the knee in front after running? This localization may be due to inflammation of the periosteum (periosteum). The periosteum is the thinnest film that envelops the bone. As a result of improper running technique, the film detaches from the base and becomes inflamed. The person experiences aching pain in the knee.
5. When the various ligaments in the joint are stretched or torn, the pain can be localized in different places. Someone's legs hurt after running above the knee in front, others - inside, and still others - from the inside. Common signs of such an injury are severe swelling, pain with exertion and touch, and limited mobility.
6. The problem does not always lie in the ligamentous apparatus. Sometimes knees hurt due to pathological rheumatic diseases: arthritis, arthrosis, periarthritis, rheumatism, bursitis, synovitis, tendinitis. Knee diseases should only be treated under medical supervision.
7. If you feel that the bones below the knee hurt after running, it may be due to insufficient blood supply to the knee sector. With such vascular disorders, the pain is usually weak, of unknown location. Feels like soft tissues ache, but at the same time, bones seem to ache. Most often, adolescents who have entered a phase of active growth complain about such symptoms. Vessels simply do not have time to grow at the same rate as the skeleton lengthens.

In addition to injuries and diseases, the knee can hurt due to the general unpreparedness of the athlete and poor running organization:

• Unsafe ground - uneven, bumpy, or vice versa, asphalt or concrete. Ideal soil for safe running - special surface on jogging tracks or nature trails without obstacles;
• Incorrect running technique - incorrect feet position or body position. As a result, the load on the joint increases and the knee hurts;
• Flat feet - running with this genetic feature of the foot structure greatly overloads the knees;
• Bad shoes - tight, not fixing the leg, heavy, not in size, etc.;
• Ignoring the warm-up.

What to do and when to see a doctor?

Now we will analyze what to do if knees hurt after running. As you understand, ignoring the symptom inevitably leads to more serious consequences, and therefore, you should react immediately.

1. For acute and sudden pain right during or immediately after a run, the joint should be immobilized. Fix it with an elastic bandage and ensure rest;
2. What if the knee pain after running is so severe that it is impossible to tolerate? Apply a cold compress for a quarter of an hour.
3. Many are trying to find information on how to smear a sore spot. We recommend the following anti-inflammatory pain relieving gels - Voltaren, Analgos, Diclofenac, Dolobene and their analogues. Do not forget that these drugs only relieve a local symptom, without eliminating the cause.
4. Sit or lie down with your leg higher than your torso;
5. Even if the leg after these manipulations no longer hurts, it is worth making an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon.

Now let's consider what to do if the knee hurts after every run, systematically, that is, there is a risk of developing chronic pathology:

1. Of course, the first thing to do is visit a doctor. He will decide on the advisability of prescribing chondroprotective drugs that restore ligaments and joints;
2. It is worth interrupting training for a while, and in ordinary life, wear an elastic bandage;
3. Warm compresses or warming ointments can be applied as directed by a doctor;
4. Jogging can be resumed only with the permission of the treating doctor.

Prevention

Well, we figured out what to do with knee pain after running, as well as the causes of this symptom. Now we will briefly list the preventive measures:

• Choose flat, natural ground for your run. Too hard or very soft soil increases the risk of injury.
• Maintain the correct foot position - roll from heel to toe, feet are straight, not tucked in or out.
• Invest in quality running shoes. Please note that each season has its own footwear. For example, there are special sneakers for winter;
• Set yourself an adequate load, do not increase it abruptly;
• Never omit warm-up and cool-down.

As you can see, the rules are not at all complicated, but they significantly reduce the risk of developing complex pathologies. Of course, you can get injured by following these recommendations - sometimes, alas, one awkward movement is enough. A pebble under the foot.

Remember, treatment in situations where the knee hurts after running is only prescribed by the doctor. Do not trust your health to the Internet and ignorant advisors. If you want running to become your favorite and lifelong habit, don't be neglectful of your body's signals. If it hurts, then you need to find out the reason! Be healthy.

Watch the video: Treating a Popliteus Strain (November 2024).