Whether you're lacing up for your first 5k, training for your next half-marathon, or enjoying an accessible way to get active, running can be a rewarding way to stay fit, get competitive, and just escape the stresses of daily life for a little while.
And while pounding the pavement (or the tread!) offers plenty of incredible benefits for both your mind and your body, it can also often come with some less-than-desirable aches and pains. One particularly common complaint: knee pain.
TK-Reasons-You-Have-Knee-Pain-While-Running-And-How-To-Treat-It-GettyImages-1308302547 .
Because your knees bear the brunt of this stress, they're a joint many a runner has had some trouble with at one point or another. Thing is, if you're experiencing knee pain while running, you've got to figure out what, exactly, is causing it so that you can show your joints the TLC they need to get back out there comfortably and keep logging those miles for years to come.
RELATED: Everything You Need to Know About Running for Beginners
Reasons you have knee pain while running
Here are six of the most common causes of cranky knees while running—and what you'll need to do to remedy each so that you can run pain-free.
1. Runner’s knee
What causes it: Known amongst docs as "patellofemoral pain syndrome," runner's knee is usually caused by repetitive motions, poor knee-cap alignment from weak and/or tight leg muscles, and occasionally from poor running form, according to Jey.
Where (and how) it hurts: In cases of runner's knee, you'll experience pain under your knee cap or at the front of your knee while running, says Sabrina Strickland, MD, a sports medicine doctor at Hospital for Special Surgery. Another dead giveaway: The pain gets worse when you're on hills or stairs. Jey describes it as a "deep, sharp pain."
How to treat it: Often, runner's knee is a sign of overuse, which means you'll want to rest it for at least two weeks, says Jey. Once you've done that, run on softer surfaces like grass or sand, and ice after every run as you get back in the game. If it's a persistent issue, you might want to consider working with a physical therapist in order to address any muscle weaknesses—particularly in your hips, Dr. Strickland adds.
How to prevent it: First and foremost, increase your mileage slowly and strategically to minimize your risk of overuse injury, Jey suggests. Otherwise, Dr. Strickland recommends pairing your running with plenty of cross-training, stretching, and resistance training to support balanced muscles.
2. IT band syndrome
What causes it: If you have weak hip muscles, your iliotibial band (IT band), a long strip of connective tissue that runs from the outside of your hip to the outside of your knee, deals with extra strain when you run. As a result, it can rub against your thigh bone or knee enough to cause irritation, swelling, and pain known as IT band syndrome or ITBS, according to Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS). Jumping right into a run without warming up enough can also spell trouble.
Where (and how) it hurts: You'll feel pain on the outside of your knee—and may even notice some popping or clicking sensations there, per HSS.
How to treat it: As with runner's knee, your best bet for easing ITBS pain is to rest it for at least a week to allow irritation to die down, suggests Jey. Otherwise, foam rolling and stretching regularly is important, Dr. Strickland adds. Commit to spending at least five minutes per day stretching and foam rolling the outer sides of your thighs.
How to prevent it: "A good routine of stretching tight muscles and strengthening hip muscles will do wonders for keeping ITBS from affecting your workout routine," says Jey. Spend a few minutes stretching a few times each day and add hip-strengthening exercises like side-lying abductions and clamshells to your workout and warmup routines.
RELATED: The 9 Best Cushioned Running Shoes, According to Reviewers
3. Patellar tendinitis
What causes it: Also referred to as "jumper's knee," patellar tendinitis is an overuse injury that typically crops up because of the impact of jumping and similar movements, explains Jey. In this case, the patellar tendon, which connects your knee cap to your shin bone) becomes inflamed—and even torn. According to Dr. Strickland, running in worn-out shoes that no longer offer proper support can also contribute.
Where (and how) it hurts: Feel a pain just below your knee cap? It's probably patellar tendinitis, since that's exactly where your patellar tendon attaches to your shin bone, says Jey. People with this issue might also notice that pain when they first start running, get up from sitting down, or stretch, adds Dr. Strickland.
How to treat it: As always, ice and rest are your first step when dealing with jumper's knee, says Jey. From there, Dr. Strickland recommends checking whether you need new running shoes, while Jey recommends considering wearing a knee brace that can lessen some of the force put on your patellar tendon.
How to prevent it: For good measure, Dr. Strickland recommends changing your running shoes every 250 to 300 miles. When it comes to your actual training, adding quad-strengthening exercises to your routine (think squats and leg extensions) can help protect your patellar tendon from future trouble.
4. Arthritis
What causes it: In arthritis, the articular cartilage—a smooth, shiny covering on the bones of our joints—wears down, explains Dr. Strickland. For many people, this occurs as the result of years of wear-and-tear on the body or traumatic injury that leads to joint pain, Jey adds.
Where (and how) it hurts: Arthritis can affect any part of your knee—but it's most commonly seen on the inside of the knee, according to Jey.
How to treat it: Doctors typically use anti-inflammatory medications and steroid injections to treat arthritic knees. However, as Jey says: "Motion is lotion. When you have arthritis of the knee, it is important to keep active. Swimming is a great way to keep moving while putting less stress on your joints."
How to prevent it: While there's no guaranteed way to prevent arthritis, limiting the stress put on your knees is your biggest bet in avoiding the pain. One way to do this, the experts agree: Maintain a healthy weight, as being overweight means more impact on your knees every time you move, let alone run.
RELATED: The Best Running Shoes for People With Bad Knees
5. Poor form
What causes it: If you have imbalances in the muscles involved in running—whether strength imbalances or uneven levels of tightness—they can throw off your form and ultimately put extra stress on your knees, says Jey. Of course, exactly what these imbalances look like—and how they mess with your form and knee health—varies from runner to runner.
Where (and how) it hurts: Since there are so many flavors of poor form out there, knee pain caused by them is equally variable. "It can hurt anywhere in the knee joint," says Jey. "However, you'll usually feel it on the inside of the knees or within the knee cap."
How to treat it: Good form is crucial if you want to run pain-free for life, so see a physical therapist who works with a lot of runners, suggests Dr. Strickland. They'll analyze your gait to identify exactly what's going on and prescribe some strengthening exercises accordingly to help you regain balance.
How to prevent it: If you're just getting started with running or are planning to up your mileage, get ahead of the game by seeing a PT or running coach who can check your form and give you any necessary tips or corrective exercise suggestions before you ramp up, our experts recommend.
6. The wrong shoes
What causes it: Though there's plenty of variation here, too, knee pain that's ultimately the result of wearing the wrong shoes often stems from a lack of arch support. In this case, your feet tend to overpronate or fall inward, which then causes your knees to bow inward, putting more stress not only on your knees, but on your ankles and hips, too, explains Jey.
Where (and how) it hurts: Pain anywhere in your knee could indicate you need different shoes—but in the case of overpronation due to shoes that aren't supportive enough, you'll likely feel pain on the insides of your knees, says Jey.
How to treat it: Head to your local running store or even a podiatrist for recommendations of running shoes that really deliver on arch support. If you're really struggling, consider custom orthotics, which will offer support exactly where you need it most, suggest Jey.
How to prevent it: Sometimes finding the right running shoes for your feet takes a little bit of trial and error, says Dr. Strickland. However, spending the time (and money) at a reputable running shoe store can help you eliminate some of that.
RELATED: Running May Be Good for Your Knees and Hips, and Marathons Aren't Necessary
So, when should you stop running because of knee pain?
As tempting as it may be to push through discomfort, "any level of knee pain can be an indicator that you should stop and further examine the cause," says Jey. Otherwise, you put yourself at risk for more issues down the line. Plus, if your cranky knees are the result of taking your running from zero to 100 too quickly, rest (and a healthy reevaluation of your routine) might be just what you need to kick your pain to the curb.
"If you are sore for a day or two as you ramp up your running program, that is fine, but joint pain is not normal," says Dr. Strickland. So go ahead and drop that "no pain, no gain" mentality right now.
When should you see a doctor or PT?
If running is a major part of your life (or you'd at least like it to be!), safe is really better than sorry when it comes to taking knee pain seriously. "If your pain does not go away after exercise, or is persistent every time you perform an activity, it is worth getting the knee evaluated," says Jey. "This will also help prevent further damage, which could keep you out for extended periods of time."
Another key indicator that it's time to see a pro, according to Dr. Strickland: swelling. Unexplained swelling in your knees can indicate a serious health concern, so don't let it go unchecked.
To get our top stories delivered to your inbox, sign up for the Healthy Living newsletter