Knee Pain From Jogging: 3 Signs You May Need Joint Replacement Surgery

Running Into Knee Pain

Jogging is a great way to stay in shape. Along with getting the much-recommended activity to stay in shape and keep the body healthy, running has also been linked with boosting mood. However, for many people, the popular exercise can come with unintended side effects. Knee pain from running can cause a person to be sidelined and unable to perform as desired. Although most people can recover with at-home treatment methods, not all individuals are so lucky. For some runners and joggers, joint replacement surgery may be required to alleviate discomfort and get back on the road.

What is runner’s knee?

Patellofemoral pain syndrome, more commonly known as runner’s knee, refers to any inflammation or misalignment in the knee that leads to pain or impacts range of motion (ROM) and mobility. Although any individual can develop the condition, middle age women are more likely to be diagnosed. Likewise, individuals that are overweight can also be more likely to experience runner’s knee. If the following signs occur after running, surgery may be necessary.

1. Mobility is impacted

A big sign that a person should consider joint replacement, whether partial or total, is that mobility declines and becomes severely limited. A runner that can no longer exercise for the same amount of time or distance is likely experiencing a reduced quality of life. Additionally, if routine walking is equally curtailed, a trip to an orthopedic specialist may be in order.

2. Poor pain management

When a sore knee initially causes discomfort, over-the-counter (OTC) medication is usually sufficient to get back to everyday life. However, as the condition progresses, go-to drugs may no longer work as well. Some people may feel that prescription-strength medications are a reasonable alternative. However, even stronger options can eventually stop blocking pain. When pain persists despite the use of pharmaceuticals, surgery may be next.

3. Persistent pain

Initial discomfort immediately after running or engaging in an activity that places added strain on the knees is to be expected. However, when the pain lingers long after an exercise has ended, a more serious problem may be brewing. In particular, if knee pain persists even when a person is relaxing, seeking medical interventions is a good idea.

Opting for joint replacement

Knee arthroscopy is a surgery that can be performed as either partial or total removal and substitution of a joint. Sometimes the procedure is known as knee resurfacing. The damaged bones can be replaced with prosthetics made from metal, ceramic, plastic, or a combination. Although not all people are good candidates for knee joint replacement, when pain and discomfort are significant enough to impact daily life, consider speaking with an orthopedist.