Runner's Knee Treatment in Surrey, BC

What it feels like

• Aching pain around or behind the kneecap, often hard to pinpoint
• Worse going down stairs, squatting, kneeling or after sitting with bent knees (the "movie-theatre sign")
• Grinding or clicking under the kneecap, sometimes with a feeling of the knee giving way

Why it happens

Patellofemoral pain happens when the kneecap is loaded unevenly in its groove. The cause is rarely in the knee itself: hip muscles that fatigue and let the thigh roll inward, a sudden increase in running or training volume, stiff ankles, footwear changes or a long stretch of sitting all change how force travels through the joint. It is one of the most common injuries we see in runners, hikers, new gym members and people who have just started a job with lots of stairs.

How we can help

Assessment looks beyond the knee — how your hip controls your thigh when you land, how your foot and ankle move, your training history and the specific movements that provoke the pain. Treatment usually combines short-term relief techniques with a progressive strengthening program for the hip and thigh, running or movement retraining where it is needed, and a sensible plan to keep you active while the knee settles rather than stopping altogether. Most runner's knee responds well to conservative care, and we will tell you plainly if yours needs further investigation.

Related reading: Knee pain

Common questions

Do I need to stop running?

Usually not completely. Most people can keep running at a reduced, pain-guided volume while they rebuild strength, which keeps you fitter and happier than a full stop. Your physiotherapist will help you set the limits.

Do I need an X-ray or MRI first?

Rarely. Patellofemoral pain is diagnosed by assessment, and imaging seldom changes the plan. If something in your history or examination suggests another problem, we will say so and point you to your doctor.