HOW DO I...
Research shows that distance running does not wear down the knee joint surfaces and some evidence even shows that running can help restore knee cartilage. “I have treated many knee problems in runners, especially women, who are slightly more susceptible than men due to having wider hips,” says Annette Chase, a musculoskeletal physiotherapist at the Schoen Clinic, schoen-clinic. co.uk. “Luckily, most problems are avoidable and, importantly, should not cause long-term issues.” The two most common types of knee pain in running are pain around the kneecap – patellofemoral pain (PFPS) – and iliotibial band friction syndrome (ITBFS), or pain on the outside of knee. Both these issues are more prevalent in novice runners. Both PFPS and ITBFS are often due to biomechanical factors, as well as poor training and footwear choice.