The knee is one of the most commonly injured parts of the body. There are a variety of ways that the knee can be injured including the following: strains or sprains, tears to the meniscus, damage to the bursa, the joint can be dislocated and the cartilage can degenerate. There are other ways the knees can be damaged and cause pain, including Runner’s Knee.
Runner’s Knee (or patellofemoral tracking syndrome) occurs when kneecap shifts to the inside or outside of the knee. The kneecap will begin to grind against the bone instead of moving smoothly over the cartilage in the knee, causing irritation, swelling and pain. Every step that you take increases the damage and therefore the pain. It is important to identify and address Runner’s Knee to stop the damage and begin healing the joint.
Typically the longer you have suffered from Runner’s Knee the longer it will take to correct the problem. Often Runner’s Knee begins with a misalignment somewhere in the body, usually the sacroiliac joint in the lower back or issues with the feet. It is important to correct this misalignment as well as strengthen the muscles around the kneecap to help it stay in place.
If you think you have just started suffering from knee pain there are a few things you can try at home to address the issue, though it is usually wisest to have a Doctor of Chiropractic evaluate the area, determine what the issue is and where it is originating. If you want to try home treatment for a few days remember that if the problem isn’t getting better in two or three days you need to see a doctor.
Try to keep activities that irritate the area to a minimum, like running, kneeling, squatting or jumping. Try ice on the knee, don’t ever keep ice on an area for more than 20 minutes at a time, and wrap the ice in a towel so it isn’t directly touching your skin. Ice on and off for two or three days. You can gently compress the area with a wrap and elevate the leg to help reduce swelling.
Remember that pain and swelling are your body’s way of letting you know something is wrong. Don’t try to ignore this warning, if your body isn’t responding to your treatment seek help. Dr. Elsey will be able to identify the problem and develop a treatment plan for your specific situation.
With Chiropractic manipulation Dr. Elsey can restore proper alignment and treat the root of the Runner’s Knee. The kneecap can also be restored to proper alignment and Dr. Elsey will help you with a combination of treatment, stretches, and exercises to strengthen the weak areas that allowed the kneecap to slip out of place.
Runner’s Knee is caused by misalignment and won’t heal on its own. You may be able to address the symptoms but the issue will continue to get worse until you correct the misalignment that is causing the problem. Remember that the longer you leave the area untreated the more damage will be done and the longer time you will spend treating and recovering from the issue.
If you or someone you know is suffering from knee pain call our office. We want to help!
