Inner knee pain after running

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 Pain on the inside of your knee, also known as mid-knee pain, can prevent you from walking and running normally. The condition is sometimes known as runner's knee, a generalized term for any knee pain that occurs while running.


Pain on the inside of the knee can come on suddenly or gradually and can occur without any specific known injury. It can even happen when you're not running.


This article describes the symptoms and causes of runner's knee, as well as how the condition is diagnosed and treated. It also explains when more invasive treatments, including surgery, may be needed.


Symptoms

Runner's knee symptoms can vary, but often include:


Pain on the medial (inner) side of the knee joint

knee swelling

Sharp pains below the kneecap

Difficulty running, climbing stairs, or getting up from a sitting position

Pain on the inside of the knee is usually intermittent and occurs during running or immediately after running. It can also occur with any activity that puts pressure on the knee joint.


Causes

Runner's knee can be caused by different conditions and risk factors. Often more than one is involved. These include:



Trauma

Excessive use

Misalignment of the patella with the femur (upper leg bone)

Weakness in the muscles that control the hip or thigh

Muscle tightness around the hip or knee

knee osteoarthritis

medial meniscus tear

Bursitis or tendonitis of the knee

Plica syndrome, an inflammatory condition that affects the knee joint.


When running or walking, the best position for the knee is directly over the foot. Sometimes flat feet cause the lower leg to turn inward. This can increase stress on the inside of the knee joint and cause pain.



Diagnosis

Diagnosing internal knee pain can be challenging because there may not be a clear cause. In many cases, multiple conditions contribute to your pain. Finding out who is involved can take time.


During the physical exam for internal knee pain, your doctor will evaluate various structures around your knee. This exam may include:


Palpation (gently touching and pressing on the knee)

Knee range of motion measurements

Hip, thigh, and leg muscle strength measurements

Gait analysis (how you walk)

Other specialized knee tests

Imaging tests are often part of the evaluation as well and may include:


X-ray, which can show bone damage.

Computed tomography (CT) scan, in which multiple X-rays are combined to create three-dimensional "slices" of the knee joint

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), in which powerful magnetic and radio waves create highly detailed images of the knee, particularly the soft tissues


Treatment

There are several treatments for runner's knee. They range from simple home remedies to more invasive medical procedures. With proper treatment, you can expect your knee pain to go away within a few weeks.


Home remedies

Home remedies for inner knee pain can decrease your pain and improve your overall mobility. Home remedies may include:


Ice – Applying an ice pack to the knee can decrease pain and swelling by reducing blood flow to injured tissues.1 Ice is most helpful shortly after pain begins or intensifies. Ice your knee for 10 to 15 minutes several times a day.

Heat: Gentle heat applied to the knee can increase blood flow and improve tissue mobility.2 It can be applied after the pain has subsided to help the knee move and feel better. Heat can also be used before stretching. It should be applied for 10 to 15 minutes.

Medications: Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications like Advil (ibuprofen) or Aleve (naproxen) can decrease pain and swelling, while pain relievers like Tylenol (acetaminophen) can help relieve pain but not swelling. Be sure to contact your doctor before taking any medication to make sure it's safe for you.

Changing Shoes: If flat feet cause the knee joint to rotate inward, high-arched shoes or inserts that fit snugly can help support the arch of the foot.

Exercise: Exercise can strengthen muscles and improve knee mechanics related to walking and running. The exercises should be slow and steady with controlled movements. These include stretches for the hamstrings, quads, and hips, as well as resistance exercises for the hamstrings, quads, and glutes.


Medical treatments

If the pain persists despite these home treatments, call your doctor. You may be referred to an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in bone and joint problems.



Medical treatments for runner's knee may include:


Prescription anti-inflammatory medications: Prescription nonsteroidal pain relievers such as Celebrex (celecoxib) or Voltaren (diclofenac) gel may relieve knee pain better than their over-the-counter counterparts.

Physical therapy – A physical therapist can prescribe exercises and movements that help strengthen the muscles around the knee and improve the flexibility and range of motion of the knee joint.

Cortisone injections: Severe and persistent knee pain may require a cortisone injection into the joint space. This steroid medication relieves pain by mitigating the inflammatory processes within the knee.

Viscosupplementation: If osteoarthritis is causing knee pain, it may be due to a lack of lubricating fluid within the joint. A synthetic lubricant may be injected into the joint space to help the joint surfaces glide over each other more easily, which decreases pain on the inside of the knee.

Knee surgery: If knee pain persists despite conservative medical treatments, you may benefit from surgery to correct the problem. This may involve arthroscopic knee surgery, which uses specialized tools inserted through small keyhole incisions. People with severe knee arthritis may need a partial knee replacement or a total knee joint replacement.


To book your appointment with Dr. Nandan Rao call us on-

0261-2607040 | 0261-2607000

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