Runner’s Knee Cartilage

We all know that exercise, especially running is good for us. Running has been credited with being beneficial in fighting almost everything that ails us, from depression to obesity. However, running is also associated with runner’s knee cartilage, one of the things that ail us.

Runner’s Knee, which is also known as Chondromalacia of the patella, is a condition that many runners suffer from. The pain may be experienced either around or behind the kneecap (patella). The most common injuries occur when athletes run a lot of miles per week for the first time, a lot being about 40 miles per week.

Joggers who run long distances often complain of this condition. This may be where the term originated. However, this condition is not exclusive to athletes in general.

Maybe you can’t remember the last time you actually ran or participated in a sport; yet you still have pain in your knees. You may feel pain when you walk stairs, bend to pick up something or when you sit or stand in the same position for a long time. So is this the infamous runner’s knee that you have?

This condition can be a misnomer. Like a car, the human body has shock absorbers. Cartilage under the patella, cushions the blow when we lift and then lower our legs back to the ground. Unfortunately, as shocks in cars have to be replaced, our natural shock absorbers may not hold up our entire lives and have to be replaced.

Over use of the cartilage may lead to chondromalacia patella, a term that indicates is damage to the cartilage. This is also what many people are referring to when they say they have runner’s knee.

So while it is common among runners, they do not have a monopoly on the condition. Any repetitive action that puts pressure on the cartilage can lead to the wearing away of the cartilage.