Distance running is great for your heart, lungs, leg muscles, waistline and even your peace of mind. It can, however, be extremely hard on your bones, ligaments and joints. The knee joint in particular is susceptible to a variety of injuries, absorbing as it does the impact of some 1,500 footsteps per mile of running.
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
Patellofemoral syndrome, often called runner's knee or chondromalacia patellae, is the most common knee problem among distance runners. Its presence is signaled by a dull ache in the anterior aspect of the knee and below the patella, or kneecap. It results from a disruption of the smooth tracking of the patella as it glides along the slot in the bottom of the thigh bone during knee flexion. The PubMed Health website advises resting and using anti-inflammatory drugs to treat this conditon. Strengthening the quadriceps muscles of the thigh may help prevent this injury from striking again in the future.
Iliotibial Band Syndrome
Iliotibial band syndrome, or ITBS, is an injury to the sheath of tissue that runs from the iliac crest at the top of the hip bone to the outside of the knee. It assists the quadriceps in straightening the leg and raising the leg outward at the hip. If you run on roads with a crown, you are more likely to incur ITBS because of the effective shortening of the leg closer to the center of the road. ITBS is marked by sharp pain on the outside of the knee that arises suddenly. To prevent ITBS, avoid running lots of laps in the same direction and stay away from crowned roads.
Torn Meniscus
Often referred to as torn cartilage, a torn meniscus refers to damage to one of the C-shaped bands of cartilage that lie atop the tibia and operate as shock absorbers when you walk or run. While this injury most often results from sudden twisting movements, chronic damage is a frequent finding in older distance runners. Diagnosis is made using magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI. The Stretching Institute suggests resting, ice, compression, and elevation to start treatment. In some cases, surgery is required in order for you to be able to run again.
Osteoarthritis
The results of a study published in the August 2008 issue of "The American Journal of Preventive Medicine" suggest that running, contrary to popular belief, does not appear to cause or worsen osteoartritis, or OA. However, if you have OA, keeping up a running routine is a challenge owing to a decline in function of the knee joint and associated pain. OA involves a gradual wearing away of the knee cartilage, and the pain worsens with advancing age. Physical therapy may be of some benefit, but the standard of care is the use of anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and naproxen sodium.
References
- Sports Injury Clinic: Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
- Sports Injury Clinic: Iliotibial Band Syndrome
- The Stretching Handbook: Meniscus Tear and Torn Knee Cartilage
- "American Journal of Preventive Medicine"; Long Distance Running and Knee Osteoarthritis; Elise Chakravarty
- American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons: Arthritis: An Overview
