How do I recognize a runner’s knee?

A runners knee with the associated liotibial ligament syndrome is usually detected by a doctor or therapist without an X-ray or MRI. A typical symptom is a pressure pain in the course of the tractus iliotibialis, which occurs particularly strongly in the area of the outer epicondylus of the thigh. In order to make a differential diagnosis, various movements are performed in the knee joint in which the tractus iliotibialis is not involved.

If no pain occurs, the findings are relatively certain. In addition, specific meniscus tests can be performed to exclude meniscus damage. It is particularly important during the anamnesis to find out which type of sport was practiced at what intensity and over what period of time. Extensive information about meniscus damage can be found in the articles:

Inner meniscus pain
External meniscus pain
Meniscus lesion

Is it allowed to do sports despite pain?

Depending on the quality of the pain, it must be decided in each individual case whether sport can continue to be practiced. In any case, the cause of the pain should be clarified by a therapist or doctor in order to prevent further damage to the affected structures.

A slight pulling or a pain that only appears after a longer training is not yet a reason for a sportive abstinence.
On the other hand, training should be discouraged in case of sudden stabbing pain or pain that can only be tolerated with medical support.

Causes of the pain

The cause of pain in an iliotibial ligament syndrome is the friction of the tractus against the epicondylus of the thigh. This results in irritation of the skin of the leg and the bursae. Particularly high strains are caused by:

Mountain runs and long distance runs, especially if the ground is asphalted. Often the Iliotibial Band Syndrome occurs after running downhill for a long time – but it is a pain syndrome that is painfully familiar to many long-distance runners. This can lead above all to overstrain and irritation of the leg skin and bursa.
Racing cyclists also frequently complain about ITBS, as they have a very high strain on the muscle, tendon and bone structures involved.
An existing malposition of the leg axis (bow legs), since this puts the iliotibial tractus in a physiologically unfavorable position.
Foot malpositions due to a weakness in the ligamentous apparatus of the feet
Wrong running shoes
Pelvic obliquity
A pronounced leg length difference