Knee pain can significantly impact your life, making even simple activities challenging. Diagnosing and treating this knee pain is where the Bone and Joint Clinic of Baton Rouge comes in, dedicated to helping you move more and hurt less. Whether you're running around the LSU lakes, jogging through City Park, or walking downtown along the Mississippi River levee, we're committed to ensuring that knee pain doesn't slow you down.

What is Runner's Knee?

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome, or Runner's Knee, causes pain at the front of the knee. It can affect anyone who is active, not just runners. Symptoms might flare up during physical activity or after sitting with bent knees for extended periods. Here are the key signs and treatments you should be aware of:

Symptoms of Runner's Knee:

• Pain and tenderness around the kneecap, especially during activity or after sitting for a long time.
• A sensation of weakness or instability in the knee.
• A crunching or grinding sound when moving the knee.
• Swelling or puffiness at the front of the knee joint.

Effective Treatments:

• RICE Method:
• Rest: Take a break from activities that aggravate the knee pain.
• Ice: Apply cold packs to reduce swelling and pain.
• Compression: Use a knee wrap to provide support.
• Elevation: Raise the leg to decrease swelling.
• Medication: Anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen can reduce pain and swelling.
• Physical Therapy: Stretching and strengthening exercises targeted at the knee and hip can improve stability and function.
• Proper Footwear: Using arch support in your shoes can alleviate stress on the knee.
• Gradual Activity Increase: Slowly build up your activity level to prevent overuse.

Does Runner's Knee Require Surgery?

Runner's knee usually doesn't require surgery; it often responds well to non-surgical treatments like rest, physical therapy, and proper footwear. Surgery is considered when there's significant damage to the knee that doesn't improve with these treatments or if there are underlying issues like misalignment of the kneecap.

Preventing Runner's Knee in Baton Rouge

To minimize the risk of Runner's Knee, warm up before exercising, choose supportive running shoes, and gradually increase your running distance. Paying attention to your body's signals and adjusting your activities can also help prevent this condition.

Your Baton Rouge Knee Specialists

Our team at the Bone and Joint Clinic of Baton Rouge, including renowned specialists, is at the forefront of treating knee pain:

• Dr. Joseph E. Broyles
• Dr. Arthur E. Hess
• Dr. Mathew J. Mazoch
• Dr. Gerard L. Murtagh
• Dr. Julie Neumann
• Dr. David M. Pope
• Dr. Alan C. Schroeder

We tailor treatment plans to meet your needs, from rest and rehabilitation exercises to advanced surgical options like arthroscopy and joint replacement. We aim to alleviate your pain and restore mobility, allowing you to enjoy many of Baton Rouge's popular running locations without discomfort.

Recovering from Runner's Knee in Baton Rouge

Don't let knee pain keep you from experiencing the beauty of Baton Rouge. Please schedule an appointment today at the Bone and Joint Clinic of Baton Rouge and start your journey back to an active, pain-free lifestyle with the support of our knee experts.