Can I Still Run with Knee Pain?

Running is a fantastic way to stay fit, clear your mind, and enjoy the great outdoors. However, knee pain can be a common and concerning issue for many runners.

If you're grappling with knee pain, you might wonder if continuing your running routine is safe. The answer isn't always straightforward, but understanding the causes, symptoms, and strategies for managing knee pain can help you make an informed decision.

Our team at Advanced Pain Management in Castro Valley, California, led by Dr. Ravi Panjabi, specializes in managing pain by tackling it at its source. We don’t want you to stop moving, but we do want you to enjoy pain-free mobility.

Here’s our take on why you shouldn’t keep running when your knee hurts, at least until we understand what’s going on with the joint.

Understanding knee pain

Knee pain can stem from various issues, including overuse injuries, improper running technique, or underlying medical conditions.

Common causes of knee pain include:

Runner's knee (patellofemoral pain syndrome)

This condition is characterized by pain around the kneecap, often worsened by running, squatting, or sitting for long periods.

Iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS)

ITBS causes pain on the outer side of the knee, usually due to inflammation of the iliotibial band.

Meniscus tears

These can result from a sudden twist or overuse, causing pain, swelling, and limited knee movement.

Arthritis

Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and post-traumatic arthritis can all affect the knees, causing stiffness, swelling, warmth, and pain that tends to worsen as the condition progresses.

Tendinitis

This inflammation of the tendons around the knee is often due to overuse or improper running form.

Ligament tears

Tears affecting the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), medial collateral ligament (MCL), and other ligaments that support the knee are common injuries that can cause varying degrees of pain.

Assessing knee pain

At Advanced Pain Management, treating knee pain begins with carefully assessing your symptoms, including the severity and nature of your knee pain.

Factors Dr. Panjabi may consider include:

Location

The location of your pain may provide insight into the underlying problem. For instance, pain near the surface is often a sign of tendon, muscle, or ligament issues. Deeper pain may indicate problems with the cartilage or other joint structures.

Timing and intensity

Knee pain may be sharp, dull, constant, or intermittent. It’s sometimes worse with activity and better with rest. Sometimes knee pain increases with rest, especially if you’ve had an active day, or is better described as early morning stiffness that improves with movement.

Physical signs

Swelling, warmth, and redness may indicate joint inflammation that could be triggered by arthritis. Knee instability or a sensation of locking may signal a ligament issue, arthritis, or problems with the kneecap.

Generally, we recommend you not ignore sudden, severe, or persistent knee pain that affects your mobility. Ignoring significant symptoms can lead to more serious injuries, while early diagnosis and treatment offer the best outcome.

Treating knee pain

Once he’s identified the cause of your knee pain, Dr. Panjabi develops a personalized treatment strategy that may include:

• Medication to relieve pain and inflammation
• Platelet-rich plasma injections
• Steroid joint injections
• Physical therapy, including strengthening and flexibility training
• Adding walking, cycling, and other low-impact activities to your workout routine

You may also benefit from modifications to your running technique, changes in footwear, or a training program with gradual increases in distances and intensity.

Don’t ignore knee pain. Schedule a visit with Dr. Panjabi at Advanced Pain Management today. Call the office or request an appointment online.