Is the knee stuck after running due to "patellar valgus"? Doctors reveal risk factors and symptoms: Strength training is key
Do your knees often rub and tingle after running? Doctors reveal the cause of “patellar valgus”
Can’t stand up once you squat down? Or do you experience a rubbing and tingling sensation in the front of your knee after running or walking? Beware that it is not knee degeneration but “patellar valgus”. The patella is the largest sesamoid bone in the human body. The groove on the femur can prevent the tendon from friction with the femur and protect the knee. When the force on the outside of the knee is greater than the force on the inside, it may cause the two sides of the patella to lose balance, causing patellar valgus.
Dr. Li Yanyu, director of Renyi Boai Rehabilitation Clinic, pointed out in an interview with “healthorn” that patellar valgus is related to movement patterns and mostly occurs under dynamic conditions. The most common reason is the imbalance of muscle strength in the muscles around the thigh and knee. For example, the lateral quadriceps muscle is too strong and the medial muscle is insufficient. The patella tends to deviate outward when it passes through the pulley of the distal femur, which leads to patellar valgus.
Dr. Li Yanyu said that in addition to muscle strength imbalance, risk factors for patellar valgus include: abnormal arches, myofascial tightness, long and short feet, etc., which may cause kinetic chain problems. Patellar valgus often occurs in athletes and joggers, especially if the running posture is incorrect when running, or arch problems caused by long-term wear of shoes, a sudden increase in training volume, or trauma, can easily increase the incidence of patellar valgus.
Serious fear of patellar chondromalacia and joint hydrops! Common symptoms of patella valgus
Patellar valgus is often considered to be knee degeneration. Dr. Li Yanyu pointed out that the most common symptom of patellar valgus is pain when squatting and standing up, especially when doing “Asian squats”. Some patients may be unable to squat or kneel, or may find it more difficult to squat. The most typical symptom is friction and pain on the front of the knee, just below or outside the patella after running, which can be distinguished from the medial pain of degenerative arthritis.
Dr. Li Yanyu said that patella valgus mostly occurs in young people who often run. However, in people over 50 years old or even elderly people who often walk but ignore stretching, or the quadriceps muscles are not fully relaxed, resulting in tightness. Muscle groups falling asleep may also cause it. Severe patellar valgus may cause “patellar chondromalacia” and even recurrent joint hydrops, which is also related to early-onset degenerative arthritis.
Muscle strength training is essential! Treatment and improvement of patella valgus
Dr. Li Yanyu pointed out that in the acute phase of patellar valgus, rehabilitation treatments such as ice packs, electrotherapy, and ultrasound, or oral administration and injection of anti-inflammatory drugs can be used. If it is in the chronic phase, proliferative therapy and shock wave therapy can be tried. Some patients with unsatisfactory treatment results may need surgical arthroscopic surgery to bring the patella back to the midline. Regardless of the treatment method, it must be followed by appropriate muscle strength training, especially the inner and outer muscle groups of the quadriceps, as well as adjustments to the gluteal and core muscle groups.
Dr. Li Yanyu said that more passive ways to strengthen muscle strength include wearing patellar straps, knee pads and adjusting running postures. A more active approach is to use “squat” training to strengthen the stimulation of the vastus medialis. This part will require the guidance of a professional coach. It even comes with sensory feedback like ball pinch training. If the core muscles are insufficient, you need to add “clam shell pose” and “side stick pose” training, and appropriately relax the overly tight gluteal and psoas muscles to improve the source of the imbalance of patellar stress. In addition, people with unbalanced or high arches can easily cause the outer muscles to be stretched. It is recommended to adjust the insoles to reduce the imbalance of force lines.
As the sports culture of Taiwanese people gradually develops, the occurrence of patellar valgus is not uncommon. Dr. Li Yanyu reminds that the treatment of patellar valgus must be combined with muscle strength training. In complex cases of patellar valgus, stimulation of the gluteal muscles and core muscles may be as important as the quadriceps. It is also necessary to understand whether there are abnormal arches and myofascial tightness in order to truly solve the cause of patellar valgus, reduce pain and maintain good mobility. When you have patellar valgus symptoms such as knee jam and difficulty squatting, it is recommended to go to the rehabilitation department for medical examination as soon as possible.
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