Running with knee pain is a tough feat – but one a lot of running enthusiasts make daily. However, you could be doing more damage than good when running regularly with knee discomfort.
At Alpha Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, our team specializes in sports medicine, knee pain, and ACL tears. Dr. Brian Snow and Dr. Jon Thompson are highly experienced and compassionate orthopedic surgeons who offer running tips to patients with knee injuries.
Knee pain comes in many forms; it can be severe and intermittent or constant and dull or achy. Many runners experience some form of knee pain, especially with age or injury.
If you’re a runner with knee pain or discomfort, it could be from any of the following problems:
The cause of knee pain dictates the next steps in care and treatment. A simple strain or sprain may improve with home care and physical therapy. In contrast, more significant injuries require downtime and a specialist.
There are some instances where it’s okay to run with knee discomfort, but they are rare. For instance, if you have a normal running gait and form with mild soreness, you can typically run a short distance.
It’s also okay to run if you aren’t experiencing any instability, locking, or swelling, as long as nothing comes up during the run. Sometimes runners have slight knee pain after increasing mileage or returning to running after a break.
In most cases, we advise against running with knee pain because it’s the body’s way of telling you something is wrong. It’s essential not to run through pain, as it often indicates an issue in the joint.
We recommend stopping running and seeking treatment if you have any of the following symptoms:
Getting treatment is key to preventing further complications and to staying off the road or treadmill longer. We quickly evaluate your symptoms and order imaging studies to develop a diagnosis and treatment plan.
Running with knee pain or issues isn’t impossible, but it’s crucial to avoid running with severe pain. As you recover, there are certain things you can do to help keep your knees healthy, and they include:
We also suggest physical therapy to build strength and balance to support your running. It not only gives you the tools to become stronger but also helps prevent injuries.
Other treatment options we suggest for knee pain include joint injections, regenerative medicine, and arthroscopic surgery.
Call our McKinney or Prosper, Texas, offices, or visit our website to schedule an appointment with Dr. Thompson or Dr. Snow for expert tips and treatments for knee pain.
