Running is not only a practice, but it is a sport as well, as professionals compete in different types of running competitions. Running is even considered good to stay fit and healthy, which is why we see a lot of people running in the garden daily. It is undoubtedly an excellent thing to be implemented to keep our organs, muscles, bones, and ligaments. But just like every sport, there are certain orthopedic injuries associated with running as well. Although one of the most common injuries is knees, hand injuries are also very widely spread across runners, told Dr. Brian Cable, a medical specialist with 30 years of experience in Orthopaaedic Surgery. Serious conditions like dislocated fracture in the knee may require surgery involving the use of Orthopaedic Implants. In this post, we are going to discuss injuries occurring in the knee due to running.
Common Running-Related Knee Injuries
Runner’s Knee
This is one of the most common injuries that is seen in runners and that’s why it tops the list. Also known as patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS), a runner’s knee occurs due to an imbalance in the muscles that support the knee. In this condition, the person experiences pain in the kneecap (patella) and its intensity will depend upon the activity performed by the person with this condition.
Chondromalacia Patella (CMP)
This is a chronic condition characterized by the damage to the articular cartilage resulting in the softening of the cartilage of the knee cap. Pain and inflammation are also associated with this condition. Some of the common causes of this condition include overuse of the knee, any injury, or issues with the alignment.
Patellar Tendonitis
This condition is also known as jumper’s knee and it occurs due to the inflammation in the patellar tendon. This is another orthopedic injury that is commonly seen in runners. Overuse and aging are the two most common causes of patellar tendonitis (tendinopathy) and it is known to make the knee of the patient weak.
ACL and PCL Injuries
Other orthopedic injuries that runners may suffer from include ACL and PCL tear. The reason noted for this injury is the overstretching of the ligament in the knee. The ligament could overstretch when the runner rapidly changes his/her direction or stops suddenly. Landing incorrectly or colliding directly with an object or someone else could also be the reasons for ACL and PCL tears.
Bursitis in the Kneecap
This is the condition where the cushion sacs present between the soft tissues and bones get inflamed. Those cushioning sacs are known as bursa that is present in front of the knee cap. This injury also involves swelling and irritation, and that can put pressure on the adjacent knee parts.
Knee Stress Fracture
A stress fracture in the knee is another orthopedic injury seen commonly in runners. As the name suggests, this condition could arise while putting extra pressure on the knee and that happens due to increasing the intensity of the exercise quickly. This painful condition could become worse if ignored and surgery using orthopedic implants may be required.
Siora Surgicals Pvt. Ltd. is a trustworthy supplier of international standard quality implants like PFNA Interlocking Nail, Femur Fracture Intramedullary Nail, and Elastic Intramedullary Nail. These implants are used during different types of orthopedic surgeries.