From the Guidelines
Knee runners should prioritize a comprehensive approach that includes knee-targeted exercise therapy, education, and supportive interventions to manage patellofemoral pain, as recommended by the most recent and highest quality study 1. This approach is based on the latest evidence from the British Journal of Sports Medicine, which emphasizes the importance of individualized treatment plans that address specific impairments and symptoms. Key components of this approach include:
- Delivering knee-targeted exercise therapy, with a focus on hip and knee strengthening exercises, to improve pain outcomes and functional ability 1
- Providing education to challenge inaccurate beliefs, build confidence, and promote autonomy, adjusted to reflect the needs of the person 1
- Using supportive interventions, such as prefabricated foot orthoses, taping, and manual therapy, as adjuncts to exercise therapy, when rehabilitation is hindered by elevated symptom severity and irritability 1
- Considering movement/running retraining to address task-specific biomechanics and reduce symptoms 1 The evidence suggests that this comprehensive approach can lead to improved outcomes and reduced symptom severity for knee runners with patellofemoral pain, as supported by the study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine 1.
From the Research
Knee Runner Guidelines
There are no specific guidelines for knee runners mentioned in the provided studies. However, the studies discuss various treatments for knee pain and osteoarthritis, which may be relevant to knee runners.
- The studies suggest that intra-articular injections, such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and corticosteroids, can be effective in relieving pain and improving knee function in patients with knee osteoarthritis 2, 3.
- PRP injections have been shown to have a statistically significant improvement over corticosteroids in a 1-year follow-up 3.
- Other treatments, such as geniculate knee injections, radiofrequency, and peripheral nerve stimulation, may also be considered for patients with knee pain refractory to conservative therapies 2.
Treatment Options
The following treatment options are discussed in the studies:
- Intra-articular steroid injections 2
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections 2, 3
- Hyaluronic acid injections 2
- Stem cell injections 2
- Prolotherapy 2
- Geniculate knee injections 2
- Radiofrequency 2
- Peripheral nerve stimulation 2
Considerations
When considering treatment options for knee pain, it is essential to consult with a healthcare professional to determine the best course of treatment. The studies suggest that a comprehensive approach, including oral analgesics, physical therapy, and surgical options, may be necessary to manage knee pain and osteoarthritis 2.