Despite the name, runner’s knee doesn’t only affect avid runners. While runners are more likely to experience this particular type of knee pain, there are other causes, such as walking with poor foot support or having tight hamstrings. Keep reading to learn about the symptoms of runner’s knee you should watch for to make sure your knees are strong and healthy.
Kneecap Pain
If you feel pain under the kneecap or around the edges of the kneecap, you may have runner’s knee. The pain tends to intensify during activity or after spending a long time with your knees bent, such as sitting for a movie or sleeping in the fetal position. While experiencing this pain, you may also experience weakness and instability in the knee. These sensations should pass after the pain passes, but be cautious when putting weight on the affected knee.
Noisy Knees
Another symptom of runner’s knee is rubbing, grinding, and clicking sounds that occur when you move your knee. Sometimes the pain and noises will overlap, but you may only hear the noises. While many kinds of sounds coming from knee movement do not indicate underlying issues, they are a potential symptom runner’s knee that you should pay attention to.
Tenderness With Touch
In addition to the pain underneath and around your kneecap and the noises you may hear from it, your kneecap might be tender to the touch. Tenderness often comes with swelling and other kinds of pain, but you may also experience the tenderness on its own. There are many common causes of knee pain, but if you experience this tenderness after activity, it’s likely you have runner’s knee.
The main symptoms of runner’s knee you should watch for are kneecap pain, noisy knees, and tenderness to the touch. Knees sustain a lot of strain for the body, so whether you’re an avid runner or not, knowing these symptoms can help you stay healthy.
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