Experiencing Knee Pain? It Could Be Your Shoes. Here’s Why
Are you experiencing knee pain during your run? A number of factors could be causing this discomfort — including posture, improper form and incorrect stretching — but often, it’s the shoes on your feet. Read on to learn more about runner’s knee and how to fix unbearable knee pain.
Why Do I Experience Knee Pain While Running on The Treadmill?
If done improperly, running can be bad on your knees — and, if you’re on the treadmill, it can make things even worse. If your knees hurt after using the treadmill, there are several things you could be doing incorrectly.
- You’re not stretching before your run. Preventative stretching can make a world of difference when it comes to pain from the treadmill. If you stretch prior to your treadmill workouts, you’ll loosen the tension in your muscles and joints. This makes it easier to distribute the impact of running between your joints.
- You don’t have great form. An integral part of healthy running form is having good posture. If you’re slouching or not engaging your core during a run, you could be putting an unhealthy amount of strain on your knees, hips and back.
- You’re wearing the wrong shoes. Running shoes need to be lightweight, cushioned and worn only for running in order to reduce the impact of running on your joints. Making sure you’re wearing a supportive shoe designed to fit your needs can alleviate mild cases of runner’s knee.
What Is “Runner’s Knee”?
Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is an irritation of the area where the kneecap rests on the thigh bone. The irritation can cause sharp and sudden or dull and chronic pain — and often appears after a run, which is why it’s nicknamed “runner’s knee”. The cause? It’s often attributed to tight hamstrings and weak quads — but the true cause of runner’s knee can vary by person. Worn cartilage, flat feet or knees that turn inward while running could also be the culprit.
How to Avoid Knee Pain While Running
If you’re looking to avoid runner’s knee or any pain you experience while running, it’s best to add strengthening and stretching to your workout routine. But most importantly, you must make sure you’re wearing the proper shoes for your foot type and gait. You’d be shocked to find that many — even seasoned runners — aren’t wearing the proper shoes for their feet. Proper arch support is so important for a healthy workout regimen and may lessen the impact placed on your joints during a run on the treadmill or the trail.
How to Treat Runner’s Knee
Some knee pain is brief, while others may be more serious. Minor pain often responds well to over-the-counter pain relievers and ice. If your pain is too serious for over-the-counter pain relievers, it’s best to talk to your doctor. Medical professionals have the ability to administer medications to lessen swelling or better lubricate the joint — and they can give you a better indication of what’s really going on with your knees.
A long term treatment for a minor case of runner’s knee is simply investing in a new pair of shoes. Adding a new pair of running shoes to your closet is essential in maintaining a healthy workout routine. Consider breathability, cushioning, support and responsiveness to high impact and high intensity runs when purchasing a new pair.
Top 10 Running Shoes For People With Knee Pain
Not sure what running shoes to invest in? Here are a few top picks — all recommended by runners for runners with chronic knee pain.
Men’s Asics Gel Kayano 23 | $99.99
Women’s New Balance 890v6 | $119.95
Men’s New Balance 1080v8 | $149.95
Women’s Saucony Hurricane ISO 3 | $95.95
Men’s Adidas Supernova Sequence 10 | $129.99
Women’s Asics Gel Nimbus 19 | $119.95
Men’s Brooks Adrenaline GTS17 | $89.95
Women’s Adidas Ultra Boost | $179.99
Men’s Saucony Zealot ISO 3 | $129.95
Women’s Nike Pegasus 33 | $109
So, What’s Purcado?
At our core, Purcado is a price-comparison tool with the goal of saving you time and money. We’re committed to helping you find the best deal on shoes every single day. Use Purcado — a one-of-a-kind search engine — to compare prices on thousands of shoes from 65+ retailers instantly. We’ve got all of your favorite brands — Nike, adidas, Steve Madden, Sam Edelman and more — at prices you’ll love.
Our philosophy? If you paid full price for the shoes on your feet, you’ve paid too much. If you shop around and shop often, you’re sure to find the same shoes at a lower price. But you don’t have the time to hop from store to store — and we get that. With Purcado, we take the stress out of shoe shopping by saving you time and money — and giving you peace of mind that you scored the best deal!
Not convinced? The average Purcado user saves up to 70% off retail price from all of the top brands. Why pay more for the same pair of shoes? Try us out today and see why we’re the new way to shop!
