Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are common sports injuries, but they can also happen to nonathletes. Here’s how to tell when your ACL needs surgery or whether conservative treatment is better.
If you’re new to running or you’re a longtime or long-distance runner, you may wonder what damage you’re doing to your knees over time. There’s even a condition called patellofemoral pain syndrome, which is conversationally known as runner’s knee.
At his clinic, Next Step Orthopedics, in McKinney, Texas, our board-certified orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Dominique Nickson, specializes in a range of knee conditions. Though it’s a common misconception, he doesn’t believe running is bad for your knees. Many people mistakenly believe that running causes arthritis in the knees. Research says that osteoarthritis in your knees is due to aging and degeneration and not associated with exercise or activity. In this blog, Dr. Nickson shares some of the many ways you can avoid injury and knee pain when you run.
Experts and exercise physiologists agree that you need to build up slowly before you take off running. Try walking and jogging short distances and slowly add time to each outing to build strength and endurance. Stretching is a crucial part of running. To prevent knee problems, as well as issues with your calf muscles, hamstrings, and glutes, build a few minutes of stretching into your pre and post-workout routine.
Studies posted at the National Library of Medicine show that running with an injury can cause further and possibly more detrimental damage to your knee. When you have knee pain, come into our office for a comprehensive evaluation before you run again. We’ll make a diagnosis and customize treatment so you can safely hit the trail as soon as possible.
As essential as it is to train and increase your mileage, it’s equally important to build rest days into your training program. Training without resting could lead to an overuse injury and sideline you for weeks at a time.
Our team here at Next Step Orthopedics recommends running on softer surfaces like rubber tracks, trails, or grassy paths instead of paved roads, which tend to pound your joints more aggressively.
While running with these strategies in mind isn’t bad for your knees, please come in to see us if you have knee pain that’s keeping you from running. We use advanced technology to help diagnose your problem and use conservative and minimally invasive therapies to alleviate your pain, restore your range of motion, and help you reclaim your quality of life.
Call our state-of-the-art office in McKinney, Texas, to schedule an appointment or book online.
You Might Also Enjoy...
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are common sports injuries, but they can also happen to nonathletes. Here’s how to tell when your ACL needs surgery or whether conservative treatment is better.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) taps into your body’s natural healing processes, helping restore damaged tissue. Here’s how PRP works and what to expect during treatment.
Diabetes affects your health in many ways, including raising your risks of foot sores and serious foot infections. The good news is that you can significantly reduce your risks of these complications by incorporating a few healthy habits.
Arthroscopy is a state-of-the-art treatment for joint pain — especially chronic joint pain that just can’t be relieved with TLC or therapy. Using a state-of-the-art approach, arthroscopy offers an array of crucial benefits. Read on to learn more.
Bunions can make every step a painful experience, but many people aren’t ready for bunion surgery. The good news: Custom arch supports can help. Here’s how.
Rotator cuff injuries are a significant cause of shoulder pain, especially for middle-aged and older people and people who use their shoulders for work or sports. If you have shoulder pain, here’s how to tell if your rotator cuff could be to blame.