No pain, no gain, right? Not necessarily. Playing through knee pain could cause a lot of problems. Here’s what every athlete should know about dealing with knee pain.
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...
No pain, no gain, right? Not necessarily. Playing through knee pain could cause a lot of problems. Here’s what every athlete should know about dealing with knee pain.
ACL tears take a toll on your mobility, but today’s treatments can help you get back on your feet — literally — faster than ever. If you’ve torn your ACL, here’s what to expect during recovery and afterward.
It’s easy to take your feet for granted — until they start to hurt. Then, finding relief becomes your number one priority. Fortunately, there are lots of solutions for foot pain. Here’s why it’s critical to seek treatment as soon as possible.
Ankle injuries are common, especially among athletes. That’s because a lot of sports put extra demands on these joints. By arming yourself with a bit of knowledge, you can take crucial steps to avoid injuries and stay active.
Not all big toe pain is caused by bunions. Two other problems — hallux rigidus and hallux varus — can also cause pain and stiffness. Here’s how to tell if you might have one of these relatively common big toe ailments.
Most of us have heard of rotator cuff injuries, but many of us may not know how those injuries happen — or what the rotator cuff is. Here’s a quick overview of this complex structure, along with the most common ways it’s injured.