Knee pain in runners: the most common causes, symptoms, and treatment review
Introduction and Purpose: Running is one of the most common activities. It is also associated with a high risk of knee joint injuries. The most common are Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS), Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITBS), and Patellar Tendinopathy (PT). These conditions can limit mobility and r...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Quality in Sport |
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| Online Access: | https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/60455 |
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| _version_ | 1850156831031164928 |
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| author | Natalia Gizińska Aleksandra Górniak Amelia Rusiecka Aleksandra Kubas Paulina Lewandowska Aleksander Sobczyk Michał Widawski |
| author_facet | Natalia Gizińska Aleksandra Górniak Amelia Rusiecka Aleksandra Kubas Paulina Lewandowska Aleksander Sobczyk Michał Widawski |
| author_sort | Natalia Gizińska |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction and Purpose:
Running is one of the most common activities. It is also associated with a high risk of knee joint injuries. The most common are Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS), Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITBS), and Patellar Tendinopathy (PT). These conditions can limit mobility and reduce quality of life. The purpose of this article is to review the causes, symptoms, prevention, and treatment for these conditions in runners, based on the most recent knowledge.
State of Knowledge:
The most frequent running-related knee injuries are PFPS, ITBS, and PT. An accurate diagnosis is essential for effective treatment. Management should be tailored to everyone, considering factors such as age and the stage of the condition. These injuries often require a break from running. Most cases improve with non-surgical treatments. Surgery is reserved for severe or persistent cases. Preventive strategies focus on addressing training mistakes, strengthening specific muscle groups, and refining running mechanics.
Methods:
The following paper analyzed studies found on electronic databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, using keywords such as “knee injury”, “PFPS”, “ITBS”, “PT”, “causes of knee pain”, “treatment of knee injuries”, and “prevention of knee injuries”. Articles include randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews prioritizing resources published after 2015.
Conclusions:
Knee injuries in runners are multifactorial and often result from poor biomechanics, muscle imbalances, training errors, or repetitive strain. Accurate diagnosis is essential to differentiate between conditions with similar symptoms. Conservative treatment is the first-line treatment for PFPS, ITBS, and PT, and it shows good results. Surgery is reserved for treatment-resistant cases. Prevention mainly focuses on correcting training errors, strengthening key muscle groups, and improving running technique, which is a key to reducing the risk of injury.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-8400c5f023214a3fb5d8653fec0bf2ca |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2450-3118 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Quality in Sport |
| spelling | doaj-art-8400c5f023214a3fb5d8653fec0bf2ca2025-08-20T02:24:22ZengNicolaus Copernicus University in ToruńQuality in Sport2450-31182025-06-014210.12775/QS.2025.42.60455Knee pain in runners: the most common causes, symptoms, and treatment reviewNatalia Gizińska0https://orcid.org/0009-0002-5267-8588Aleksandra Górniak1https://orcid.org/0009-0006-3331-9597Amelia Rusiecka2https://orcid.org/0009-0006-6541-6754Aleksandra Kubas3https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0535-9832Paulina Lewandowska4https://orcid.org/0009-0001-1415-6730Aleksander Sobczyk5https://orcid.org/0009-0008-3907-9357Michał Widawski6https://orcid.org/0009-0003-7141-0314University Clinical Hospital No. 2 of the Medical University of LodzUniversity Clinical Hospital No.2 of Medical University of Lodz, ul. Żeromskiego 113; 90-549 Łódź; PolandCentral Teaching Hospital of the Medical University of Lodz ul. Pomorska 251, 92-213 Łodz; PolandUniversity Clinical Hospital No.2 of Medical University of Lodz, ul. Żeromskiego 113; 90-549 Łódź; PolandThe Medical University of Warsaw Żwirki i Wigury 61, 02-091 Warsaw, PolandUniversity Clinical Hospital No.2 of Medical University of Lodz, ul. Żeromskiego 113; 90-549 Łódź; PolandUniversity Clinical Hospital No.2 of Medical University of Lodz, ul. Żeromskiego 113; 90-549 Łódź; PolandIntroduction and Purpose: Running is one of the most common activities. It is also associated with a high risk of knee joint injuries. The most common are Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS), Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITBS), and Patellar Tendinopathy (PT). These conditions can limit mobility and reduce quality of life. The purpose of this article is to review the causes, symptoms, prevention, and treatment for these conditions in runners, based on the most recent knowledge. State of Knowledge: The most frequent running-related knee injuries are PFPS, ITBS, and PT. An accurate diagnosis is essential for effective treatment. Management should be tailored to everyone, considering factors such as age and the stage of the condition. These injuries often require a break from running. Most cases improve with non-surgical treatments. Surgery is reserved for severe or persistent cases. Preventive strategies focus on addressing training mistakes, strengthening specific muscle groups, and refining running mechanics. Methods: The following paper analyzed studies found on electronic databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, using keywords such as “knee injury”, “PFPS”, “ITBS”, “PT”, “causes of knee pain”, “treatment of knee injuries”, and “prevention of knee injuries”. Articles include randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews prioritizing resources published after 2015. Conclusions: Knee injuries in runners are multifactorial and often result from poor biomechanics, muscle imbalances, training errors, or repetitive strain. Accurate diagnosis is essential to differentiate between conditions with similar symptoms. Conservative treatment is the first-line treatment for PFPS, ITBS, and PT, and it shows good results. Surgery is reserved for treatment-resistant cases. Prevention mainly focuses on correcting training errors, strengthening key muscle groups, and improving running technique, which is a key to reducing the risk of injury. https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/60455Running injuriesPatellofemoral Pain SyndromeIliotibial Band SyndromePatellar Tendinopathyknee painknee injury treatment |
| spellingShingle | Natalia Gizińska Aleksandra Górniak Amelia Rusiecka Aleksandra Kubas Paulina Lewandowska Aleksander Sobczyk Michał Widawski Knee pain in runners: the most common causes, symptoms, and treatment review Quality in Sport Running injuries Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome Iliotibial Band Syndrome Patellar Tendinopathy knee pain knee injury treatment |
| title | Knee pain in runners: the most common causes, symptoms, and treatment review |
| title_full | Knee pain in runners: the most common causes, symptoms, and treatment review |
| title_fullStr | Knee pain in runners: the most common causes, symptoms, and treatment review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Knee pain in runners: the most common causes, symptoms, and treatment review |
| title_short | Knee pain in runners: the most common causes, symptoms, and treatment review |
| title_sort | knee pain in runners the most common causes symptoms and treatment review |
| topic | Running injuries Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome Iliotibial Band Syndrome Patellar Tendinopathy knee pain knee injury treatment |
| url | https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/60455 |
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