KNEE PAIN LIKELY RELATED TO RUNNING FORM

Any knee pain you experience while running is very likely related to your form. If you're experiencing pain in both knees, "[this] is often caused by alignment issues stemming from our foundation: the feet," explained Nelya Lobkova, DPM, a board-certified podiatrist in TriBeCa. "If the feet are not transferring ground reaction forces properly up the chain, alignment is thrown off and knee joint concerns arise." Poor form is often to blame for this chain reaction, Dr. Lobkova added, "especially when on the treadmill." You might also start to lose your form as you grow tired - regardless of the surface you're running on - which can take a toll on your joints.

 

Dr. Nelya Lobkova

 

Even if your form is solid, outdoor surfaces are often more shock-absorbent than a treadmill, helping to reduce joint pain. "Running on the grass and dirt increases the shock absorption from the feet and up the musculoskeletal chain, since the surface has a higher energy return," Dr. Lobkova told POPSUGAR. The same can't be said for pavement, which means that maintaining your form is just as crucial when running on roads or sidewalks as it is when using a treadmill. However, even pavement has one advantage over a treadmill. Outdoor surfaces generally follow a natural gradient, while a treadmill can stay locked into an incline or decline, which can be "detrimental for the knees," Dr. Lobkova explained.

 

Source: Sydni Ellis, POPSUGAR [10/18/21]

Courtesy of Barry Block, editor of PM News