Maumivu kwenye Mbele ya Goti

(Runner's Knee)

NaPaul L. Liebert, MD, Tomah Memorial Hospital, Tomah, WI
Imepitiwa/Imerekebishwa Nov 2023
  • Factors such as weak thigh muscles, excessive pronation, and tight leg muscles and tendons can cause pain in the front part of the knee.

  • People may feel pain when running downhill but eventually may have pain during walking.

  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and arthroscopy may be needed for diagnosis.

  • People should stop running until there is no pain and then use exercise to strengthen and balance muscles around the knee.

  • If excessive pronation causes pain, shoe inserts can help.

(See also Overview of Sports Injuries.)

The kneecap (patella) is a circular bone that is attached to ligaments and tendons around the knee and normally moves up and down the thighbone during running.

When the Front of the Knee Hurts

Normally, the kneecap (patella) moves up and down the thigh bone during running. People may feel pain in the kneecap because thigh muscles are weak or the feet roll in too much (pronation). As a result, the kneecap rubs abnormally against the thigh bone, causing increased wear and tear.

Pain in the front of the knee (anterior knee pain) may be caused by

  • A kneecap located too high or too low in the front of the knee joint

  • Off-center insertion of the muscles around the knee cap

  • Tight, shortened hamstring muscles

  • Tight Achilles tendon

  • Weak thigh muscles—which normally help stabilize the knee

Runner's knee

Weak thigh muscles are a common cause of runner’s knee, a treatable cause of anterior knee pain. Weak thigh muscles allow the kneecap to move sideways and rub abnormally against the thighbone. Runner’s knee usually starts out with knee pain when running downhill. Later, any running or walking, especially down steps, is painful.

Matatmshi kupita kiasi

Excessive pronation of the foot (rolling of the foot inward) when walking or running can cause knee pain. Pronation forces the thigh muscles (quadriceps) to pull the kneecap outward and rub abnormally against the end of the thighbone.

Utambuzi wa Maumivu ya Magoti

  • A doctor's evaluation

Doctors ask about symptoms and examine the person. Sometimes magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), arthroscopy (looking inside the joint with a flexible viewing tube), or both are needed.

Matibabu ya Maumivu ya Magoti

  • Rest

  • Rehabilitation

Running is avoided until it can be done without pain. Ice applied to the affected area, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and temporary use of a knee sleeve or elastic support also help. Other exercises, such as riding an exercise bike (with high seat position, low repetition, and low resistance) or swimming, can be done to protect the knee and maintain physical fitness during recovery. Exercises to strengthen and balance the muscles in the back (hamstrings) and front (quadriceps) of the thigh are helpful.

In runner’s knee, stretching before exercise seems to help balance the abnormal forces caused by tight muscles and reduce injury.

A shoe insert can help correct excessive pronation.

Mazoezi ili Kusawazisha na Kuimarisha Quadricep na Ukano wa Mvungu wa Goti
Prone Quadriceps Stretch
Prone Quadriceps Stretch
1. Lie on stomach. 2. Bend involved knee and loop towel around the ankle. 3. Gently pull towel to stretch muscle on fro... soma zaidi

Courtesy of Tomah Memorial Hospital, Department of Physical Therapy, Tomah, WI; Elizabeth C.K. Bender, MSPT, ATC, CSCS; and Whitney Gnewikow, DPT, ATC.

Supine Active Hamstring Stretch
Supine Active Hamstring Stretch
1. Lie on back, flex the hip and knee of the involved leg, hold behind the knee, and pull it gently toward the chest. 2... soma zaidi

Courtesy of Tomah Memorial Hospital, Department of Physical Therapy, Tomah, WI; Elizabeth C.K. Bender, MSPT, ATC, CSCS; and Whitney Gnewikow, DPT, ATC.

Quadriceps Set
Quadriceps Set
1. Sit with involved leg extended. 2. Contract quadriceps muscle on the front of the leg to push back of knee down to t... soma zaidi

Courtesy of Tomah Memorial Hospital, Department of Physical Therapy, Tomah, WI; Elizabeth C.K. Bender, MSPT, ATC, CSCS; and Whitney Gnewikow, DPT, ATC.

Straight Leg Raise
Straight Leg Raise
1. Lie on back with uninvolved knee bent so foot is on the floor/table. 2. Keep involved leg straight and raise foot to... soma zaidi

Courtesy of Tomah Memorial Hospital, Department of Physical Therapy, Tomah, WI; Elizabeth C.K. Bender, MSPT, ATC, CSCS; and Whitney Gnewikow, DPT, ATC.

Side-Lying Hip External Rotation (Clamshell Exercise)
Side-Lying Hip External Rotation (Clamshell Exercise)
1. Lie on involved side. 2. Keep shoulders and hips in line with ankles slightly behind the body with the knees bent ap... soma zaidi

Courtesy of Tomah Memorial Hospital, Department of Physical Therapy, Tomah, WI; Elizabeth C.K. Bender, MSPT, ATC, CSCS; and Whitney Gnewikow, DPT, ATC.

Squats
Squats
1. Stand with feet about hip width apart. 2. Toes should point forward to stay aligned with the knees. 3. Keeping core ... soma zaidi

Courtesy of Tomah Memorial Hospital, Department of Physical Therapy, Tomah, WI; Elizabeth C.K. Bender, MSPT, ATC, CSCS; and Whitney Gnewikow, DPT, ATC.

Standing Iliotibial Band Stretch
Standing Iliotibial Band Stretch
1. Stand about a foot away from the wall with the involved leg closest to the wall. 2. Place the uninvolved leg in fron... soma zaidi

Courtesy of Tomah Memorial Hospital, Department of Physical Therapy, Tomah, WI; Elizabeth C.K. Bender, MSPT, ATC, CSCS; and Whitney Gnewikow, DPT, ATC.