Jogging can be a real pain in the knees. Knee pain comes from a variety of causes and can plague any jogger, but some people are more at risk than others, MayoClinic.com notes. You can correct some problems on your own, but others require a doctor's attention, MayoClinic.com and the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine warn. Continuing to jog with knee pain can lead to severe problems in the future.
Runner's Knee
"Runner's knee" is the umbrella term for knee pain caused by running or jogging, the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine says. Runner's knee can erupt from a variety of causes. Patello-femoral pain syndrome is one common cause. Pain from this condition comes from running while your foot is rolling inward and downward, rather than from heel to toe. Also known as excessive pronation, some joggers don't even realize they are doing it. Doctor-prescribed arch supports usually work to correct this problem.
Repetitive Motion
Joggers are also prone to knee pain from the repetitive motion, MayoClinic.com notes. Your knees take quite a pounding, especially on pavement and other hard surfaces. The repetitive motion fatigues the muscles around your knees, which can result in swelling or tissue damage. Runners who don't rest their muscles in between jogging stints, especially heavy jogging stints, are most likely to suffer pain. Proper rest to let muscles rejuvenate is in order.
Strength and Flexibility
Literally being weak in the knees or lacking flexibility are also sources of jogger knee pain, according to MayoClinic.com. The muscles surrounding your knees need to be strong enough and loose enough to support the knee properly and to absorb the stress from jogging. Laying off the jogging--and perhaps switching to a lower-impact activity, such as swimming--can help with the pain. Increasing your legs' muscular strength and flexibility through other exercises is another approach to avoid knee pain.
Age and Gender
Age and gender can play a part in knee pain from jogging, MayoClinic.com says. Older joggers are prone to knee problems, such as gout, while the younger set are more at risk to such problems as patellar tendonitis. Both of these conditions can lead to knee pain. Gender, too, plays a role, with teenage males more at risk for such conditions as patellar tendonitis and teenage females more likely to develop a dislocated kneecap. Following doctor's orders are best when dealing with these conditions.
Other Factors
Weight and structural conditions are two more factors in jogging knee pain, MayoClinic.com cautions. Being overweight puts added stress on the knees, which could lead to pain or damage to the knee joint's cartilage. Structural conditions--including flat feet, knees that are not in alignment, or legs that are different lengths--can cause pain. People who have suffered previous knee injuries also have an increased likelihood of experiencing knee pain while jogging. Losing weight and visiting a doctor to help with structural alignment can help.
