Executive Summary
- Runner’s knee, or patellofemoral pain syndrome, is an overuse injury typically brought on by frequent knee bending. It can cause dull, aching pain around the kneecap, along with grinding sensations, swelling, and stiffness.
- Jumper’s knee, or patellar tendonitis, is usually generated by frequently jumping motions atop hard surfaces. This condition can cause pain and inflammation between the kneecap and the tendon attached to the shinbone.
- Wear supportive, cushioned shoes to avoid runner’s knee and run with a mid-foot strike and correct alignment. Also, strengthen your quads, hamstrings, and hips and stretch to maintain flexibility around your knees.
- To prevent jumper’s knee, warm up by performing dynamic stretching and low-impact activities, cool down with static stretches and light exercises, and use proper jumping and landing techniques with slightly bent knees.
Understanding the Differences Between Runner’s Knee and Jumper’s Knee
Sports, especially high-impact ones like football and basketball, can often lead to knee injuries, such as jumper’s knee and runner’s knee, each with a unique cause and treatment strategy.
Overuse from running and cycling are common causes of runner’s knee, also known as patellofemoral pain syndrome, which can manifest as pain around the kneecap. Typically, this ailment calls for rest, ice, shoe inserts, and targeted low-impact exercises that develop muscles like the quadriceps to address imbalances.
On the other hand, jumper’s knee, also known as patellar tendinopathy, is a condition typically generated by repeated leaping motions on hard surfaces that lack shock absorbency. This injury can cause pain in the tendon that connects the patella to the shinbone. Reducing activity, trying massage therapy, and taking anti-inflammatory medications are common ways to address this condition.
Being able to distinguish runner’s knee vs jumper’s knee is essential for athletes to learn how to avoid, manage, and treat their condition. Consult an experienced joint specialist to diagnose and treat your knee issue.
Runner’s Knee (Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome)
Patellofemoral pain syndrome, commonly referred to as runner’s knee, is a widespread overuse injury caused by sports or activities that involve frequently bending the knee. This condition usually affects the area where the knee connects to the lower end of the thigh bone.
Causes and Contributing Factors
Runner’s knee is most commonly seen in athletes. Some examples of circumstances and causes that can lead to the development of runner’s knee are:
- Achilles tendon or hamstring tightness
- Insufficient foot support
- Overly rigorous training
- Patella misalignment
- Moving with your feet rolling inward and thighs pushing the patella outward
- Thigh muscle weakness
- Traumatic ankle injury
Many of the factors above are fueled by activities like running or cycling, which require the participant to bend their leg repeatedly.
See Also: How To Minimize Knee Pain From Cycling
Pain Characteristics
People with runner’s knee typically feel a dull, aching pain around or behind their kneecap. Some individuals may also feel an uncomfortable grinding sensation inside the knee or clicking and popping sounds during movement. They may also experience swelling and stiffness that reduces their range of motion. Symptoms may be aggravated by knee-bending activities, such as squatting or climbing stairs.
Common Diagnostic Methods
Many medical professionals will diagnose runner’s knee by performing physical examinations of their patient, assessing patella alignment, tenderness, and ability to move their knee. If the healthcare provider needs additional information, they may perform medical imaging, such as X-rays or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), to rule out other structural issues or damage.
Treatment Options
Each case of runner’s knee is unique and may require different treatment approaches. Nevertheless, some common treatment options that your medical professional may suggest are:
- Anti-inflammatory medications or injections for pain relief
- Avoiding high-impact activities
- Modification of exercise techniques
- Physical therapy focused on strengthening the quadriceps and hip muscles
- Rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE)
- Using supportive knee braces or crutches
If you are experiencing knee pain or movement problems, consult a trustworthy joint specialist to have your condition diagnosed and treated in the best way possible.
Jumper’s Knee (Patellar Tendonitis)
Patellar tendonitis, also called jumper’s knee, is a condition caused by stress and shock from repetitive jumping motions, especially on hard surfaces. It is usually accompanied by pain and inflammation in the patellar tendon.
Causes and Contributing Factors
Jumper’s knee is usually linked to sports that require leg muscle contraction and forceful ground contact, such as basketball or tennis. Repeated stress can strain and inflame the patellar tendon. Some examples of circumstances that can contribute to the development of jumper’s knee are:
- Abrupt increases in the volume or intensity of training.
- Muscle imbalances near the knee joint.
- Inadequate warm-up before physical activities.
Reducing shockwaves by wearing orthotic footwear can help mitigate the risk of developing jumper’s knee.
Pain Characteristics
Though it can also happen above the patella or at the tendon’s insertion into the tibia, the pain is typically felt between the kneecap and the point where the tendon joins to the shinbone. Many patients describe this pain as mild, but it can worsen over time, especially with excessive jumping or kneeling.
Common Diagnostic Methods
While working to diagnose jumper’s knee, healthcare providers may assess your medical history and perform physical examinations similar to those conducted while diagnosing runner’s knee. For example, the medical professional may attempt to locate where the patient feels tenderness and how well they can move their knee. If more information is needed, the patient may undergo medical imaging, such as X-rays or MRIs, to examine their biomechanics closely.
Treatment Options
Although each case of jumper’s knee may require a unique approach, some common treatments are:
- Attending physical therapy to strengthen muscles and build range of motion
- Breaks from sports and high-impact activities
- Getting massage therapy
- Rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE)
- Taking ibuprofen, Advil, or Motrin for pain and swelling
- Using a knee support or strap just below the patella
Consultation with a reputable joint health specialist is advised if you are experiencing knee pain or problems with movement. They are qualified to diagnose your ailment and offer the best course of action to help you return to doing the activities you love.
Overcome Joint Pain with JRCS
Our team of board-certified surgeons and compassionate professionals will create a personalized treatment plan to help you manage joint pain and get back to your daily routine.
5 Key Differences Between Runner’s Knee and Jumper’s Knee
Although runner’s knee and jumper’s knee can cause pain in similar regions, they have slight differences that are imperative for patients to understand before starting a treatment plan. The five differences below are some of the most noteworthy ways runner’s knee and jumper’s knee deviate.
1. Causes
The most common causes of runner’s knee are overuse, kneecap misalignment, or incorrect tracking.
Jumper’s knee is usually caused by repetitive strain or tension on the patellar tendon, frequently brought on by running or jumping exercises.
2. Symptoms
Pain from runner’s knee typically occurs behind or around the kneecap and can worsen with movement or extended sitting.
Running or jumping can exacerbate jumper’s knee discomfort, which is typically felt immediately below the kneecap where the patellar tendon joins to the shinbone.
3. Affected Population
Runners, cyclists, and those who perform activities involving regular knee bending are prone to developing runner’s knee.
Jumper’s Knee usually affects athletes who play sports like track & field, basketball, or volleyball where jumping is required frequently.
4. Diagnosis
Diagnosing runner’s knee may involve a physical examination, a history of symptoms, and occasionally imaging tests such as MRIs or X-rays to look for cartilage problems or misalignment.
Medical imaging is more common when diagnosing jumper’s knee. Still, physical examinations and the patient’s history of repetitive strains may also be used to evaluate damage to the patellar tendon.
5. Treatment Approaches
Both conditions usually call for resting, applying ice to the knee, using assistive equipment, and trying physical therapy. However, treatment plans for runner’s knee frequently consist of modifications to exercise regimens or styles, while jumper’s knee treatments usually rely more on strengthening the muscles around the knee.
Prevention Tips
Different factors cause runner’s knee and jumper’s knee, so they are usually prevented in separate ways. Educate yourself on the prevention strategies below to prioritize your joint health.
Preventing Runner’s Knee
Some examples of techniques to avoid developing runner’s knee are:
- Wear proper footwear – Choose shoes based on your running style and foot type that offer adequate cushioning and support. Additionally, you should regularly replace worn-out shoes.
- Hone your running method – To prevent putting too much strain on your knees, run with optimal form, which includes a mid-foot strike and appropriate alignment.
- Strengthen muscles – To encourage appropriate kneecap tracking, concentrate on building strength in the quadriceps, hamstrings, and hip muscles.
- Build your flexibility – Include stretches to keep your legs and hips flexible, which may help lessen knee strain and increase your range of motion.
Talking to an experienced joint specialist is an excellent way to learn what individualized lifestyle changes can help mitigate your risk of getting runner’s knee.
Preventing Jumper’s Knee
Some examples of approaches to prevent the development of jumper’s knee are:
- Warming up – Before engaging in strenuous physical activity, perform dynamic stretching and low-impact activities to prepare your muscles and tendons for the demands of jumping and running.
- Cooling down – Following an activity, engage in low-intensity exercises and static stretches to promote muscle healing and lessen stiffness.
- Hone your jumping technique – Use appropriate landing techniques to reduce knee impact. For example, keep your knees slightly bent and try to land softly and with control.
- Reduce shock impact – To lessen the recurrent strain on the patellar tendon, move activities to areas with softer floors and shock-absorbent shoes.
If you believe you are at risk of getting jumper’s knee, you should reach out to a qualified joint specialist to see what prevention strategies may work best for your unique situation.
Find Long-Term Relief For Your Knee Pain
Although runner’s knee and jumper’s knee are both usually caused by sports or rigorous physical activities, the conditions can differ in several ways.
Overuse or misalignment-related pain behind or around the kneecap is the hallmark of runner’s knee. In contrast, pain beneath the kneecap resulting from repetitive strain on the patellar tendon is usually a characteristic of jumper’s knee. Understanding the differences between runner’s knee vs jumper’s knee is important for people struggling with knee pain.
The highly qualified joint specialists at The Joint Replacement Center of Scottsdale can help you diagnose your knee pain and build a customized treatment plan. We have expertise in various knee pain treatment options, ranging from alternative therapies like Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy and ARPwave therapy to knee replacement surgeries for more severe instances demanding structural repair.
Schedule a consultation to develop a unique treatment plan for your knee condition.
