How Shockwave Therapy Can Help With Runner’s Knee

Runner’s Knee is a common sports injury that affects the knee and its surrounding area, resulting in discomfort and pain. The condition is often used as an umbrella term and actually encompasses a range of musculoskeletal injuries including:

• Anterior Knee Pain Syndrome
• Iliotibial Band Syndrome
• Chondromalacia Patella
• Patellofemoral malalignment

A specific diagnosis depends on factors such as where in the knee the pain is located, but treatment options are similar across the various conditions. For most Singaporeans with an acute or moderate case of Runner’s Knee, non-surgical or chiropractic treatments such as shockwave therapy can help with pain management during the recovery process.

Causes and Symptoms of Runner’s Knee

The name ‘Runner’s Knee’ originates from the fact that runners, joggers, or marathoners are the most likely people to suffer from Runner’s Knee. However, the condition can actually be caused by any activity that involves regular stress on the knee joints including sports and outdoor activities such as cycling, biking, and soccer. Other factors can also contribute to Runner’s Knee including weakened muscles in the legs and thighs, bone weakness or misalignment due to genetics or trauma, as well as direct trauma to the knee from an accident or fall.

Over time, the repeated and impacted stress on the knee can lead to degeneration or damage of the cartilage in the knee cap, or a strain in the muscles surrounding the knee. Runner’s Knee is not limited to athletes at a professional level – casual joggers or runners are still susceptible to the injury. Symptoms to look out for include:

• Knee pain during activities such as walking, climbing stairs, or kneeling where the knee is bent
• Dull pain when the knee is not moving or not bent
• A ‘popping’ or ‘grinding’ sensation in the knee
• Swelling, soreness, or pain in the knee

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms and your lifestyle includes activities that could put you at risk of Runner’s Knee, you are advised to seek diagnosis immediately. Prolonging treatment could result in more of the cartilage wearing away, or could worsen into a sprain if you continue to put stress on the injured joint.

Thankfully, most cases of Runner’s Knee can be treated using non-surgical interventions and treatment can be completed in a matter of weeks. Get in touch with the chiropractors at our clinic in Novena to find out about chiropractic care options for pain management.

Treatment options for Runner’s Knee

Basic treatment for Runner’s Knee should follow the ‘RICE’ protocol:

• Rest: Rest the knee joint or muscle by stopping or reducing any strenuous activity
• Ice: Reduce pain and swelling in the affected area with an ice pack or cold pack
• Compression: Gentle to moderate compression using an elastic bandage or brace should be applied over swollen areas. Be careful not to cut off circulation or blood flow, which could lead to severe health complications.
• Elevation: Elevate the affected area while sitting or lying down, preferably above the level of the heart. This will help to lessen swelling.

Doing stretches at home after exercise can help aid your recovery from Runner’s Knee. These stretches include:

• Hamstring stretches
• Standing quad stretches
• Standing calf stretches
• Donkey kicks

Watch our video for a guide to doing standing quad stretches, or visit our Youtube channel for more simple stretches you can do at home. Chiropractic treatments such as shockwave therapy could also help with short- and long-term pain management in less severe cases. Shockwave therapy involves using ultrasound waves and vibrations to encourage blood flow and restore circulation to the affected area.

You do not need to live with knee pain forever. Book a consultation with our trained chiropractors or call our clinic in Novena to find out how we can help alleviate your pain and discomfort.