Knee Pain From Running

Here we will look at the common causes of knee pain from running, what you can do to prevent it and common conditions associated with it. We also look at common questions such as is jogging bad for your knees, and is it normal for knees to hurt after running?

Causes Of Knee Pain From Running

There are five common causes of knee pain from running that we will look at here, and you can find out about the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and prevention strategies for each:

1. Runners Knee

2. Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITBS)

ITBS is the most common cause of outer knee pain from running. This is when there is tightness in the structures on the outside of the knee which cause friction and inflammation.

The typical symptoms of ITBS are lateral joint pain, swelling and sometimes a popping/snapping sensation.  Visit the ITB Syndrome section to find out more.

3. Jumpers Knee

Inflammation of the hamstring tendons at the back of the leg is the most common cause of posterior knee pain from running, especially when runners do lots of sprint work.

Overuse and friction on the tendons lead to inflammation and degeneration which causes pain. It commonly causes pain when you bend the leg and stiffness, and is usually caused by hamstring tightness – see the hamstring stretches page.

Why Does Running Cause Knee Pain?

Let's start by looking at why so many people get knee pain when they run. Knee pain from running is generally caused by a combination of factors that fall into two categories: 

1. Training Errors

Poor training technique is a common cause of running knee pain. The most common mistakes people make are:

2. Biomechanical Problems

Knee pain from running is also often linked to problems with biomechanics, meaning how the different body parts move as we run. Foot position is extremely important but varies greatly from person to person.

How To Avoid Knee Pain From Running

To help prevent knee pain from running, try the following suggestions:

1. Follow The 10% Rule

If you want to build up your training for whatever reason, it’s important to do it gradually. A good rule of thumb is the 10% rule where you increase your activity by up to 10% a week, be it the length of time you run for or the distance. For example, if you normally run 5 miles at a time, increase to up to 5.5 miles. After at least a week you can then increase by another 10%.

You may find that a 10% increase is too much initally, especially if you are just starting out or are returning to activity after an injury, in which case you might want to work at 5% increases instead. Listen to your body and do what is right for you and you shouldn’t suffer from running knee pain. The 10% rule is a guide, not a mantra!

2. Warm Up & Cool Down

Having the right support for your feet helps reduce biomechanical problems which in turn reduces the risk of running knee pain. Remember, everyone’s feet are different so try out lots of pairs of shoes and talk to a footwear expert to make sure the shoes you use have the right support in the right places for you.

Also, remember to change your shoes regularly. Over time, shoes stop providing good support and start to lose their shock absorbing properties. The general advice is to change your shoes after approximately 400-500 miles e.g. if you run 5 miles a day, 5 times a week, you should change your shoes every 3-4 months to prevent knee pain from running.

It can also help to have a couple of pairs of running shoes and alternate them.

4. Avoid Overtraining

This is a particularly common cause of knee pain from running when training for an event/competition. Overtraining is when you exercise beyond your body’s ability to recover. Our bodies need adequate rest and recovery time when we exercise, otherwise performance levels start to decrease.

Warning signs that you might be overtraining include fatigue, mood changes e.g. irritability and depression, decreased appetite, lack of enthusiasm for exercise, headaches, general aches and pains, drop in performance and insomnia.

5. Wear a Knee Support

6. Vary Your Exercise

Running is a great way to keep fit, but if running is the only exercise you do, you are missing out. Ideally, you should do different types of exercise to work different muscle groups in different ways.

By doing a range of exercises, you will develop great overall strength (in your muscles, bones and cardiovascular system), flexibility, power, endurance, fitness, balance and co-ordination, as well as losing weight! Good things to do as well as running include swimming, cycling, rowing, pilates, ball sports and strength training.

7. Use Ice

When used correctly, ice packs can help to reduce inflammation and knee pain from running. They can be particularly useful if you are getting pain after running.

Visit the ice therapy section to find out how to use it safely and effectively and the ice wraps section for the best ways to apply ice.

Running Knee Pain Questions

What Causes Outside Knee Pain Running? The most common cause of outer knee pain when running is iliotibial band syndrome - an overuse injury causing inflammation of the ITB. It can usually be self-treated with rest, ice, exercises and wearing a knee strap.

What Causes Inner Knee Pain After Running? Inner knee pain when running may be a sign that you are overloading the cartilage on the inner side of the knee which can result in a meniscus injury. Altered foot biomechanics, decreased knee stability and poor glutes strength all affect the angle of the knee so more force goes through the inner side of the knee. There's generally a sharp pain that comes and goes.

Another possibility is pes anserine bursitis which causes inner knee pain about 2cm below the knee cap.

What Causes Front Knee Pain When Running? The most common cause of pain at the front of the knee when running is Runners Knee. It develops when there is excess friction on the back of the kneecap, usually due to a problem in how the kneecap moves as you run.

With Runners Knee there tends to e a general ache at the front of the knee and pain comes and goes, typically worse after prolonged activity or more surprisingly prolonged inactivity e.g. sitting for long periods.

What Causes Knee Pain After Running Beginner? If you've just taken up running and your knee is playing up, chances are you have overdone things. Suddenly increasing your activity levels places excess stress and strain on the soft tissues resulting in too much force going through the knee. A combination of strengthening and stretching exercises, pacing and following a sensible training regime usually sorts it out.

Is It Normal For Knees To Hurt After Running? Knee pain is certainly a common problem for runners, particularly those just starting out or those who have recently upped their training regime. It takes time for the body to adapt and develop the strength and endurance needed to cope with running.

It's the knees that take the brunt of the force when jogging so it's no surprise that knee pain is a common problem. If the pain persists, gets worse as you run or doesn't settle when you rest, then you need to get it checked out as you may have an underlying knee injury. 

Is Jogging Bad For Your Knees? When done sensibly, running is a good, healthy thing to do. But don't jump straight in head first. It's about getting the right combination of pacing (remember that 10% rule), good footwear, general body conditions (strengthening and stretching exercises), having a good regime (warm up and cool down), thinking about your running surface and listening to your body. 

Do Knee Supports Help Running? Knee braces can certainly help if you have an underlying knee injury, but if there is nothing wrong with your knee, then you don't need one. A knee brace provides support and stability but a healthy knee is equipped to provide all the support, strength and stability you need.

If you have pain in your knee when you run, see a medical professional - if they recommend a knee brace, then wear one. If they don't, then you probably don't need one. Knee braces typically help following an overuse injury such as Patellar Tendonitis, with arthritis or after surgery. 

Is It Safe To Run On Sore Knees? If you are getting knee pain when running, it's usually your bodies way of saying you are doing too much. It might be a simple case of changing your shoes, easing up on your training regime, or switching to off-road.

But if your knee pain is frequent, sharp, intense, or your knee feels unstable, gives way or is "catching", it could be something serious and you should get it checked out before running again.

Want to Know More?

If none of these are sounding like your problem, visit the diagnosis section for help working out what is causing your pain. If your pain started as the result of an injury, visit the common knee injuries section.

If you want to do some strengthening or stretching exercises to supplement your running, visit the exercise guide to find the right exercises for you.

Remember, if you are suffering from a new incidence of pain, always consult your doctor.

You can find out more about these common causes of knee pain from running by visiting the relevant sections, just click on the link.

Page Last Updated: 10/06/21
Next Review Due: 10/06/23

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