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Halcy Orthopedics

Runner's Knee Treatment in New York

Also known as: Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome, PFPS, Anterior Knee Pain

3 min readLast updated: 2026-01-16
Reviewed by Dr. Maya Chen, MD, FAAOS

Runner's knee, or patellofemoral pain syndrome, is a common condition causing pain around or behind the kneecap. It often develops from repetitive stress on the knee joint, particularly in runners and athletes, but also affects people who sit for long periods. The pain typically worsens with activities like running, squatting, or climbing stairs.

At a Glance

  • Patellofemoral pain syndrome is one of the most common causes of knee pain in athletes[1]
  • Strengthening the hip and quadriceps muscles is often central to treatment[2]
  • Most cases respond well to conservative treatment including physical therapy[3]
  • Pain typically worsens with activities that load the bent knee, such as stairs or squatting

Affected Anatomy

  • Patella (kneecap)
  • Patellofemoral joint
  • Femoral trochlea
  • Quadriceps tendon
  • Patellar tendon
  • Knee joint cartilage

What are the symptoms of Runner's Knee?

  • Pain around or behind the kneecap
  • Pain that worsens with running, squatting, or climbing stairs
  • Pain after sitting with bent knees for extended periods
  • Grinding or clicking sensation in the knee
  • Knee stiffness
  • Swelling around the kneecap
  • Pain that increases with downhill walking or running

When should you seek care for Runner's Knee?

  • Knee pain that persists or worsens despite rest
  • Significant swelling or instability in the knee
  • Inability to bear weight on the affected leg
  • Knee pain with locking or giving way
  • Pain that significantly limits daily activities

If any of these apply, consider reaching out to schedule a visit.

What causes Runner's Knee?

Causes

  • Overuse from repetitive knee bending
  • Muscle imbalances, especially weak quadriceps or hip muscles
  • Poor biomechanics or alignment issues
  • Sudden increase in training intensity or volume
  • Improper footwear
  • Direct trauma to the kneecap

Risk Factors

  • Running and jumping sports
  • Sudden increases in training volume
  • Weak hip or quadriceps muscles
  • Tight hamstrings or IT band
  • Flat feet or overpronation
  • Previous knee injuries
  • Female sex (higher incidence)

How It's Diagnosed

  • 1Physical examination and medical history
  • 2Assessment of knee alignment and tracking
  • 3Evaluation of hip and quadriceps strength
  • 4Gait analysis
  • 5X-rays to rule out structural abnormalities
  • 6MRI for suspected cartilage damage

How is Runner's Knee treated?

At Halcy Orthopedics, we offer several approaches for runner's knee:

Knee Arthroscopy

Knee arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure in which a small camera, called an arthroscope, is inserted into the knee joint through sm...

Learn more →

Prognosis and Recovery

  • Most cases improve with conservative treatment over several weeks to months
  • Strengthening exercises are key to long-term management
  • Gradual return to activity helps prevent recurrence
  • Some individuals may experience recurring symptoms

Frequently Asked Questions

Runner's knee (patellofemoral pain syndrome) is a common condition causing pain around or behind the kneecap. It develops from repetitive stress on the knee joint and is common in runners, but affects anyone who performs activities involving repeated knee bending.
Symptoms include pain around or behind the kneecap that worsens with running, squatting, climbing stairs, or sitting with bent knees. You may also notice grinding or clicking sensations, stiffness, and increased pain going downhill.
Runner's knee is typically caused by overuse, muscle imbalances (especially weak hips or quadriceps), poor biomechanics, sudden increases in training, and improper footwear. These factors cause abnormal tracking of the kneecap against the femur.
See a healthcare provider if knee pain persists despite rest, significantly limits your activities, is accompanied by significant swelling or instability, or if you can't bear weight on the affected leg. Seek immediate care for severe pain or knee injuries with obvious deformity.
Treatment focuses on reducing pain and addressing underlying causes. This includes rest, ice, physical therapy to strengthen hip and quadriceps muscles, patellar taping or bracing, and correcting training errors. Acupuncture and anti-inflammatory medications may also help.
Many runners can continue running with modifications, but it depends on severity. You may need to reduce mileage, avoid hills, and focus on strengthening exercises. A gradual return to full activity is important to prevent worsening or recurrence.

Your Practitioner

Dr. Maya Chen, MD, FAAOS

Fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in cartilage preservation and minimally-invasive joint procedures. Dr. Chen treats high-performance athletes and weekend warriors alike, with a focus on returning patients to the activities they love.

Dr. Marcus Rivera, MD

Spine surgeon with subspecialty training in motion-preserving cervical procedures. Dr. Rivera has performed more than 2,000 cervical disc replacements and lectures internationally on navigation-assisted spine surgery.

Dr. Priya Nair, MD

Non-operative sports medicine physician focused on regenerative orthopedic care. Dr. Nair leads the practice's PRP and ultrasound-guided injection programs, and serves as team physician for two NYC-area collegiate athletic departments.

Sources & References

This article draws from 3 sources, including peer-reviewed research, leading medical institutions.

Government & Research

Medical Institutions

Medically reviewed by Dr. Maya Chen, MD, FAAOS · Last reviewed: 2026-05-11