Pain in your knee or knees running?

Runner’s knee, or in medical terms, Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome, is a common problem, especially in runners. Pain – either sharp and sudden or dull and chronic behind or around the kneecap can be a sign of Runner’s knee.

There can be various reasons for this pain, from biomechanical to muscular. In any case, the kneecap (patella) does not move properly in the groove where it should, causing pain and discomfort.

We highly recommend that you consult a physiotherapist who can assess and guide you regarding your knee pain, but there are things that you can do yourself to prevent this problem:

• Warm up with walking and dynamic stretching.
• Run on softer surfaces.
• Make sure the shoes you are running in are suitable for your feet and running style.
• Keep your mileage increases less than 10 per cent per week – easy does it.
• Gradually increase hill work in your workout.
• Strengthen your quadriceps.
• Stretch your glutes, hamstrings and calf muscles.

Happy running, folks!