A joint is the point at which two bones make contact. The largest joint in the body is the knee, which connects together the femur, or the thigh bone, with the patella, or the kneecap, and the tibia, the larger and stronger of the two bones in the lower leg. It's held together by several large ligaments and cushioned by cartilage between the bones. Joint pain in runners is overwhelmingly likely to occur in the knee due to the way in which stress is placed on the joint. According to Reed Ferber, a researcher from the University of Calgary, 3 to 4 million runners suffer from knee injuries each year.
Injuries
Runner's knee is a term that refers to several of the most common medical conditions that cause patellofemoral pain, or pain in the front of the knee. These conditions can be the product of many different problems such as dislocations or damage to the joint caused by overuse, inadequate stretching or a sudden violent blow. Structural or mechanical issues such as muscle imbalances, flat feet and misalignment of the kneecap may also be to blame. These problems in the anatomical structure of the knee will cause a dull pain in the kneecap where it connects to the thighbone. This occurs when you bend the joint by sitting, squatting, and walking up and down stairs.
Treatment
Immediate rest for two to three days is the surest treatment of joint pain. If an injury causes the joint to become inflamed, then you should also apply an ice pack wrapped in a towel several times a day to reduce blood flow to the region. Other treatments include the compression of the knee in a snug elastic bandage and elevation of the leg above your heart. Anti-inflammatory medication such as aspirin or ibuprofen can also help reduce the pain. If the pain does not diminish after a week, then you should consult a doctor. In severe cases, you may need knee arthroscopy or realignment surgery to directly fix the damaged joint.
Prevention
The easiest method for avoiding joint pain is to perform stretches for the calves, hamstrings, hips, groin and quadriceps for five minutes before and after exercise, advises the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Stretches maintain the flexibility of the supporting structures in the knee. If you suspect an imbalance between different leg muscles, then you should try to strengthen the weak muscles. While running, you should also use quality shoes with good shock absorption, replacing them every 500 miles. And you should maintain a high level of physical fitness.
Running Stress
The feet absorb approximately 110 tons of energy every mile, placing considerable pressure on the leg. To reduce the wear and tear on the knee, you shouldn't run more than 45 miles every week, because beyond this barrier, you greatly increase your risk of injury. In addition, run mainly on flat terrain, and do not increase your mileage by more than 10 percent each week.
