If you enjoy running and have adopted the “Runner’s Lifestyle” where you constantly get out to push yourself a little further each week, then you’re going to experience some aches and pains every now and then. It’s a given, since you’re putting a lot of force on several “Key” joints and muscle groups as you run. When you have consistent aches and pains, especially in your lower and upper legs that seem to center around your knees you could be experiencing one of two painful issues that will need care and cause you to rest those knees for a bit.
Two such common injuries are Jumper’s knee and Runner’s knee. Both are non-medical terms used to describe knee pain. Indeed though, both are quite similar and are often used interchangeably, but both injuries can be painful in their own way!
Patellar Tendinitis, or Jumper’s Knee, is the pain associated with tendon attached to the knee cap, also called patellar tendon, overuse or a sudden stress on the patellar tendon can cause inflammation or tears in the tendon tissue.
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome or Runner’s Knee; is the pain associated with the knee cap (Patella). Here are some detailed differences between Jumper’s Knee and Runner’s Knee.
Parameters |
Jumper’s KneeJumpers Knee |
Runner’s Knee |
Symptoms |
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Causes |
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Treatment |
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Remember, injuries do happen! But don’t let the threat of problems become an excuse for unlacing those running shoes and taking to your couch. Instead, be aware of the possibilities of these injuries and take the necessary steps that will help reduce your risk of being sidelined for a while.
Trainers, Doctors, Pa’s can all agree that caring for these types of injuries can be helped by using the PRICE Method, (Protection, Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation). Using a recommended medical treatment like the Physicool Cooling Bandage can provide the cold penetrating therapy you would hope to get by applying a regular ice pack to the knee, but without the wet, dripping mess of melting ice. During the recovery process, you’ll want to work on reducing the inflammation through cooling. Applying a Physicool Bandage for thirty minutes to one or two hours per day can be of great help. Working through the science of evaporation, the cooling benefit of Physicool will reduce pain and swelling, whilst the compression will limit inflammation. These two benefits working together will help to speed up your recovery and get you back to what you love faster. Post-run and evenings are best time to apply these bandages, due to the weight that your knee has endured throughout the day but a lunchtime treatment will definitely help. Once you have recovered, you may find that switching to running shoes with more cushioning will help reduce your impact and protect the knees, preventing a repeat injury in the future.
Though you can manage many injuries yourself, do consult an Orthopedician if the pain is persistent for a longer time.