Runner’s knee / renners knie

Runner’s knee is also known as ‘renners knie’, ‘lopersknie’ or iliotibial band friction syndrome. Runner’s knee is an overuse injury characterised by irritation on the outer side of the knee. The condition is particularly common amongst runners.

The irritation or strain is caused by the tendon rubbing against the bony protrusion on the outer side of the knee joint. Possible causes of runner’s knee include:

• Always run on the same side of the road
• Leg length discrepancy
• Foot deformity
• Incorrect leg position
• Wearing the wrong shoes or worn-out shoes

• Pain on the outside of the knee, which sometimes radiates down to the lower leg
• Pain sets in after just a few minutes of running
• Going down the stairs is often painful

Treatment by a podiatrist involves investigating the cause of the symptoms (often rolling the foot onto the outside or late inward roll of the foot), which causes friction between the tendon and the kneecap. Treatment involves corrective (sports)podiatric insoles can offer a solution. In cases of leg length discrepancy, heel lifts are also used. Advice is also given on sports shoes, as well as walking advice: such as walking on the other side of the road due to the camber of the road surface. This is often combined with physiotherapy.

The expected outcome is good to symptom-free. Depending on the cause, the treatment must be continued indefinitely.

RondOm Podotherapeuten offers a service specifically for runners gait analysis aan; a comprehensive movement and gait analysis that assesses your walking pattern and any injuries. This will help you train in a more targeted way so that you can walk better, faster and injury-free.