Knee Medicine and Science: Runner's knee

Showing posts with label Runner's knee. Show all posts

BJSM Podcast: Running injuries.

In this BJSM podcast, Dr Andrew Franklyn - Miller gives his opinion on common running injuries.

The knee most commonly affected in Ironman triathletes.

High prevalence of overuse injury among iron-distance triathletes.

Andersen C., Clarsen, B., Johansen, T. and Engebresten, L. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 2013; 47: 857 – 861.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23902775

Ironman distance triathlon has recently gained a lot of popularity in both professional and amateur athletes. Due to its endurance character, overuse injuries should occur. Nevertheless, lack of studies is present investigating injuries among Iron distance triathletes.

This was a 26-week prospective cohort study including 174 participants. Study found that the majority of injury cases in this group were overuse conditions. The most common sites of the injury were the knee, lower leg, lower back and shoulder. The average prevalence of overuse problems was 56%.

Study findings seem important for developing strategies to prevent and treat overuse injuries in triathletes. The knee and lower leg were most commonly affected body sites and this seems to be in agreement to what running athletes experience. Patellofemoral pain syndrome, “shin splints”, Iliotibial band syndrome , Achilles tendinopathy appears to be one of the most prevalent overuse conditions seen in runners and triathletes. Study results indicate that it would be advisable for Ironman triathletes to incorporate specific strategies into ther normal traing routine to prevent knee and lower leg overuse problems.

Do Minimalist Shoes Really Simulate Barefoot Running?

Running in a minimalist and lightweight shoe is not the same as running barefoot: a biomechanical study.
Bonacci, J., Saunders, P., Hicks, A., Rantalainen, T., Vicenzino, B. and Spratford, W. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 2013; 47: 387 – 392.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23314887

Minimalist shoes have been designed to mimic barefoot running due to its supposed efficacy in prevention of running related overuse injuries. Nevertheless, there is little evidence that running mechanics in minimalist shoes are similar to those observed during barefoot running. The study was conducted to compare running mechanics between barefoot running and running in a “minimalist” shoe (Nike Free 3.0), racing flat (Nike Lunaracer 2), and “regular” running shoes. Ground reaction force data and kinematics were collected from 22 highly trained runners.

BJSM Podcast: Biomechanical overload and lower limb injuries.

In this BJSM podcast, Andrew Franklin – Miller, PhD, talks about biomechanical issues associated with lower limb injuries among running athletes. Chronic exertional compartment syndrome, condition commonly mistaken with MTSS, is one of the overload injuries he specifically focuses on. Also, his shares his views in regards to relationship between running technique and lower extremity overload injuries which is followed by his recommendations on how you should correct your technique to lower the risk of sustaining some of the common leg overload conditions.

Listen here.(63)
All rights reserved to the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

Sample exercises for "runner's knee".

I decided to publish this specific video for several important reasons. Given high amount of videos in Youtube, describing various sophisticated exercises for “runner’s knee”, I like the one published, because it shows exercises which can be performed anywhere, are easy to remember, do not require much time, do not cost you anything and do not require any equipment. I like this specific video because it presents exercises for both, prevention and treatment. Moreover, it addresses key issues in PFPS prevention and/or treatment which are: quadriceps and gluteus muscles strengthening in a safe pattern without overloading the patellofemoral joint. Of course, you should choose exercises which work best for you and do not trigger pain. Finally, do not forget about stretching the iliotibial band, gastrocnemius and hamstring muscles.

Trunk and lower extremity mechanics in female runners with PFPS.

Proximal and distal kinematics in female runners with patellofemoral pain.
Noehren, B., Pohl, M., Sanchez, Z., Cunningham, T. and Lattermann, C. Clinical Biomechanics, 2012; 27: 366 – 371.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22071426

It is suggested that female runners are more prone to develop PFPS compared to male athletes. Biomechanical abnormalities are thought to contribute. Lack of evidence is present, thus, authors conducted this study to investigate whether significant differences during running exist in hip, trunk and foot kinematics between females with and without “runners knee”.

PFPS: who may have worse recovery.

Prognostic factors for patellofemoral pain: a multicentre observational analysis.

Collins, N., Bierma-Zeinstra, S., Crossley, K., van Linschoten, R., Vicenzino, B. and Middelkoop, M. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 2013; 47: 227 – 233.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23242955

Patellofemoral pain syndrome (“runner’s knee’’) can often affect participation in daily and sports activities due to pain associated with patellofemoral joint loading (stair climbing, running, cycling). Lack of evidence exist in regards to prognostic factors determining prognosis in those with PFPS. Identification of such a prognostic factors would provide the clinicians with characteristics that may predicts one’s prognosis. The main aim of this study was to identify clinical predictors of poor recovery at 3 and 12 months in those with PFPS. 310 individuals with PFPS were enrolled.

Phd thesis: Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome and Exercise Therapy.

Phd thesis by Robbart van Linschoten from Erasmus University in Rotterdam, NL, investigating clinical effects and cost effectiveness of exercise therapy for patellofemoral pain syndrome as well as studying the effectiveness of exercise therapy in relation to other conservative strategies.

Full text available.

"Runner's knee" (PFPS) in runners by D.O.

Dr. Jeff Anthony from Alvarado Hospital, discusses basic issues in regards to the diagnosis and treatment of the patellofemoral pain syndrome, so called “runner’s knee” which is estimated by some authors, to be the most common overuse injury suffered by the runners.
All rights reserved to the empowher.
This month, following posts will further focus on this common problem and will cover topics related to the risk factors and rehab.

Gluteal muscles function and "Runner's knee".

Gluteal muscle activity and patellofemoral pain syndrome: a systematic review.
Barton, C., Lack, S., Malliaras, P. and Morrissey, D. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 2013; 47: 207 – 214.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22945929

Patellofemoral pain syndrome, often called “runner’s knee”, constitutes great amount of the knee overuse injuries observed in the sports medicine practice. While aetiology of the condition is not fully known, variety of intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors has been presented. Much attention has been placed on the relationship between hip musculature function and PFPS. It is suggested that impaired gluteal muscle function may result in increased hip joint adduction and internal rotation movement during activities such as running, squatting and stair negotiation. This excessive hip motion is proposed to increase lateral PFJ stress, associated with PFPS development. Nevertheless, research findings are somehow inconsistent. To fill that gap, authors decided to put together a systematic review investigating the role of gluteal muscle activity in the aetiology, presentation and management of PFPS.

Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS): "Runners knee".

Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS), often referred to as “runner’s knee”, is one of the most common knee conditions in endurance sports, especially those requiring running activity. It is a general descriptor for anterior knee pain related to a spectrum of patellofemoral joint disorders. The post will cover current concepts in regards to the causes, history, risk factors, diagnosis and treatment of the PFPS.