Runner's Knee

Runner's Knee/Knee Pain

Runner's Knee is a condition where the cartilage under the knee cap deteriorates and softens due to repeated strain or injury. It can often be characterised as sharp knee pain under the knee cap. 

Causes
This condition can be caused by:

  • Overuse. Bending your knee again and again or doing a lot of high-stress exercises, like lunges and plyometrics (training that uses the way your muscles lengthen and shorten to boost their power), can irritate tissues in and around your kneecap.
  • A direct hit to the knee, like from a fall or blow
  • Your bones aren’t lined up. If any of the bones from your hips to your ankles are out of their correct position, including the kneecap, that can put too much pressure on certain spots. Then your kneecap won’t move smoothly through its groove, which can cause pain.
  • Fallen arches (flat feet), or overpronation (which means your foot rolls down and inward when you step). These often change the way you walk, which can lead to knee pain.
  • Weak or unbalanced thigh muscles. The quadriceps, those big muscles in the front of your thigh, keep your kneecap in place when you bend or stretch the joint. If they’re weak or tight, your kneecap may not stay in the right spot.

Solutions
Wearing orthotics helps prevent faulty biomechanics. By wearing correct orthotics, the strain on the knees will be greatly reduced, giving the knees a chance to heal. Plus, the orthotic will prevent the situation to worsen, thereby reducing the risk of further damage.

Archline Orthotic Footwear are designed to promote healthy biomechanics and balanced movement.