Knee pain is one of the most common complaints among actively aging patients, athletes, particularly long-distance runners and marathoners. The repetitive motion of running, combined with the high impact of each stride, can lead to a variety of knee issues—from overuse injuries to degenerative conditions like osteoarthritis. While many runners push through the pain, untreated knee injuries can lead to chronic problems and diminished performance.
Regenerative medicine offers a powerful, non-invasive solution to help active people heal naturally and return to their sport with less pain and more mobility.
Understanding the Knee and Common Causes of Pain
Knee Anatomy
The knee joint is a complex structure made up of:
- Bones: The femur (thigh bone), tibia (shin bone), and patella (kneecap) form the knee joint.
- Cartilage: Acts as a cushion between bones, preventing friction.
- Ligaments: Stabilize the knee; the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and medial collateral ligament (MCL) are commonly injured in athletes.
- Tendons: Attach muscles to bones; the quadriceps tendon and patellar tendon are especially important for running.
- Meniscus: A crescent-shaped cartilage that provides shock absorption.
Common Knee Injuries for Long-Distance Runners
Long-distance runners and marathoners are particularly prone to knee pain due to the continuous strain on their knees. Some common injuries include:
- Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (Runner’s Knee):
Pain around the kneecap, often caused by misalignment or overuse. It’s common in runners who have improper tracking of the patella during movement. - IT Band Syndrome:
The iliotibial (IT) band, which runs along the outside of the thigh and knee, can become tight and inflamed due to repetitive running motions, leading to pain on the outside of the knee. - Meniscus Tears:
The cartilage in the knee can tear, leading to pain, swelling, and a feeling of the knee locking or giving way. Meniscus tears are common in runners who put excessive strain on their knees. - Osteoarthritis:
Over time, the cartilage in the knee joint can wear down, leading to arthritis. This condition is more prevalent in runners with a history of knee injuries or improper running form. - Patellar Tendonitis (Jumper’s Knee):
Inflammation of the patellar tendon due to repetitive stress on the knee from running or jumping.
Symptoms of Knee Pain
Symptoms of knee injuries may include:
- Persistent or sharp pain in the knee during or after running.
- Swelling, particularly around the kneecap or joints.
- Stiffness, particularly after long runs or when starting to run after rest.
- Weakness or instability, making it difficult to maintain proper form while running.
- Clicking, popping, or grinding sensations when bending or straightening the knee.
Traditional Treatment Options
Many runners turn to traditional treatments such as:
- Rest and Ice: To reduce inflammation and give the knee time to heal.
- Physical Therapy: Strengthening and stretching exercises to improve flexibility and muscle imbalances.
- Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs): To manage pain and swelling.
- Knee Braces or Taping: For support and stability during activity.
- Corticosteroid Injections: For more severe inflammation or pain.
However, these treatments may only provide temporary relief, and they do not address the root cause of the pain.
Regenerative Medicine for Knee Pain
Regenerative medicine offers a natural, long-term solution by promoting the body’s own healing abilities. These treatments can reduce inflammation, repair damaged tissues, and restore knee function without the need for surgery.
Key Regenerative Treatments for Knee Pain:
- Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy:
PRP therapy uses the patient’s own blood to create a concentrated mixture of platelets, which are then injected into the knee joint. The platelets release growth factors that help repair damaged cartilage, ligaments, and tendons, while also reducing inflammation. - Prolotherapy:
Prolotherapy involves injecting a natural solution into the knee to stimulate the body’s healing response and strengthen weakened ligaments and tendons. This treatment is especially beneficial for ligament sprains or chronic tendonitis.
Benefits of Regenerative Medicine for Runners
- Non-Surgical: Regenerative treatments avoid the risks and lengthy recovery times associated with knee surgery.
- Targeted Healing: By using the body’s own healing cells, regenerative therapies address the root cause of pain and injury.
- Pain Relief and Reduced Inflammation: These therapies can provide fast relief from chronic pain and swelling, allowing runners to return to training sooner.
- Improved Mobility and Function: Regenerative treatments help improve joint function and flexibility, making it easier to run without discomfort.
- Long-Lasting Results: Unlike traditional treatments that only manage symptoms, regenerative medicine can provide lasting relief by promoting the body’s natural healing processes.
Take the Next Step Towards Pain-Free Running
If knee pain is holding you back from your full running potential, regenerative medicine could be the key to getting you back on track. By addressing the root cause of your pain and promoting healing, these cutting-edge treatments offer long-term relief and help you return to running faster and more comfortably. Contact a regenerative medicine specialist today to learn more about how you can treat your knee pain and get back to doing what you love.
Disclaimer: Individual results vary. Not all patients will have the same post-procedure recovery and activity level. See your physician to discuss your potential benefits and risks.
The Lipogems System is a sterile medical device intended for the closed-loop processing of your own fat tissue in medical procedures involving the harvesting, concentrating and transferring of your own fat (adipose) tissue harvested with a legally marketed lipoplasty system. This can be a minimally invasive procedure that’s done in the office, to support soft tissue defects and may promote healing in orthopedics and arthroscopic surgery. Lipogems may or may not appropriate for all patients.
Like any medical procedure, there is a risk for soreness, redness, swelling, and/or pain. These procedures require needle access (size, location and depth vary depending on the procedure) and this may result in (but not limited to), discomfort, pain, apprehension, bruising, tenderness, bleeding, swelling, or infiltration at the injection site. Other symptoms that may occur include lightheadedness, fainting, nausea, or vomiting. There is slight risk of infection at the injection site and have minimal risk of adverse reactions or complications as with any other injection procedure. Since the fat is from your own body there is little concern of disease transmission, allergic reaction or tissue rejection. For patients with chronic medical conditions such as autoimmune, diabetes, heart or lung disease, circulatory diseases or obesity, extreme caution may be necessary.
There are rare but possible risks and complications due to fat transfer including an allergic reaction to the local anesthetic, damage to underlying structures, hematoma or seroma (an accumulation of blood or fluid under the skin that may require removal), changes in sensation, unsatisfactory results that may necessitate additional procedures, permanent discoloration caused by a ruptured blood vessel at the treatment site, calcification, a divet in the area of the tissue harvest, peri-operative bleeding, a blood clot at the treatment or donor site, an infection, scar tissue, and a fat embolism caused by a fat injection mistakenly directed into a blood vessel, and death.
The information presented is for educational purposes only. Speak to your doctor to decide if Lipogems procedure is appropriate for you. Individual results vary and not all patients will return to the same activity level. The lifetime of any procedure is limited and depends on several factors like patient weight and activity level. Your doctor will counsel you about strategies for your post-procedural care. It is important to closely follow your physician’s instructions regarding post-procedure activity, treatment and follow-up care. Ask your doctor if Lipogems procedure is right for you.
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