Knee Pain From Running

Causes Of Knee Pain From Running

Here we are going to look at:

• Common causes of knee pain from running
• Why running causes knee problems
• How to avoid knee pain when running
• Common questions e.g. should you keep running with knee pain

Let's start by looking at the most common causes of knee pain from running.

1. Runners Knee

2. Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITBS)

Iliotibial band syndrome is the most common cause of outer knee pain from running.

The iliotibial band is a thick band that runs down the outer side of the thigh between the hip and the knee. If there is any tightness in the ITB it gets irritated and inflamed and causes friction on the underlying structures where it attaches to the knee. 

With ITBS, the more you run, the more irritation there is at the knee and the more likely you are to get outer knee pain while running, or after running.

Common symptoms of iliotibial band syndrome include:

• Lateral Knee Pain: pain on the outer side of the knee
• Worse On Slopes: e.g. running up and down hills or on cambered roads
• Popping/Snapping Sensation: at the knee when you run
• Localised Swelling: on the outer side of the knee

Iliotibial band syndrome is one of the most common causes of knee pain from running in long distance runners.

You can find out all about how ITBS causes knee pain from running  and how to treat it in the Iliotibial Band Syndrome section.

3. Patellar Tendonitis

4. Knee Bursitis

Other Possible Causes

Other possible causes of knee pain from running include:

• Hamstring Tendinopathy: irritation of the hamstring tendons behind the knee which causes posterior knee pain from running. Typically caused by muscle imbalance so responds well to hamstring stretches and strengthening exercises
  
  
• Plica Syndrome: irritation and inflammation of the folds in the synovial lining of the knee joint. Plica syndrome often causes knee pain from running if you suddenly increase training levels
  
  
• Meniscus Tears: a tear in the cartilage that lines the knee joint. Most commonly affects the medial meniscus causing inner knee pain while running
  
  
• Ligament Sprains: overstretching or tearing of one of the knee ligaments can cause knee pain when running. The pain normally develops rapidly rather than gradually at the time of injury or within a few hours

Why Is It So Common?

So why is knee pain from running such a common problem? Around 75% cases of knee pain from running are due to chronic (long term) problems from overuse, often linked with muscle imbalance and altered biomechanics.

The other 25% of cases of knee pain from running are due to a one-off injuries.

Knee pain from running is generally caused by a combination of these factors:

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.

3. Muscle Imbalance

Muscle imbalance also affects the biomechanics throughout the leg and are common causes of running knee pain. There may be:

• Muscle Weakness: e.g. weak glutes can reduce your foot arch height. Strengthening exercises are a great way to reduce knee pain from running if there is any weakness in the muscles
  
  
• Muscle Tightness: e.g. tight quads can shift your kneecap slightly out of position. In the knee stretches section you'll find simple tests to see if muscle tightness is contributing to your knee pain from running and will find loads of exercises to stretch the different knee muscles.

How To Avoid Knee Pain Running

There are lots of things you can do to prevent knee pain from running:

1. Follow The 10% Rule

If you want to build up your training for whatever reason, it’s important to do it gradually otherwise you will almost certainly develop knee pain from running.

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 initially, 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

Overtraining 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 really 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

People often have lots of questions about knee pain from running so let's look at some of the most common ones:

What Causes Outer 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.

Outer knee pain from running can also be caused by iliotobial bursitis - inflammation of the bursa that sits between the ITB and the underlying bone.

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 be 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.

Another possible cause of front knee pain when running is prepatellar bursitis which is usually accompanied by swelling at the knee cap. If the pain is just below the kneecap, it may be from infrapatellar bursitis. Again, there will usually be a pocket of swelling, this time below the kneecap.

What Causes Knee Pain After Running In Beginners?

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 running 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
• Good Body Condition: good muscle strength and length
• Having A Good Regime: including warming up and cooling down
• Thinking About Your Running Surface
• Listening To Your Body: don't just push on through

Knee pain from running certainly isn't a foregone conclusion - train right and listen to your body.

Do Knee Supports Help Running? 

Knee braces can certainly help with knee pain when running if you have an underlying injury, but if there is nothing wrong with your knee, then you probably 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. You should be able to run without getting knee pain, but if you can't, you need to make some changes.

It might be a simple case of changing your shoes, easing up on your training regime, or switching to off-road.

It may be that you need to take things easy for a few days while the pain settles down. A combination of over-the-counter medication, ice and rest will often sort it out.

But if your knee pain running 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 by your doctor 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 knee pain from running. 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 loads more about these common causes of knee pain from running, including the causes, symptoms, treatment and prevention options by using the links above.

Page Last Updated: 28/06/22
Next Review Due: 28/06/24

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