Hip Strengthening Exercises May Reduce Patellofemoral Knee Pain in Female Runners

A new research study reported in Science Daily by Tracy Dierks, assistant professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at Indiana University-Purdue University Indiana indicates that female runners who suffer from patellofemoral knee pain (pain behind the knee cap) can reduce or eliminate it significantly with hip strengthening exercises.

Patellofemoral knee pain is a very common running injury that is usually caused by the knee cap not tracking properly, which causes the back of the knee cap to rub up against the thigh bone.  If left untreated the cartilage behind the knee cap will wear down and osteoarthritis will develop.   It is most commonly diagnosed in females due to the angle from the hip to the knee joint being wider in females compared to males.

The study used a pain scale of 0-10 with 3 representing the onset of knee pain and 7 representing strong knee pain while running on a treadmill. Eleven female runners participated in the study and they all started the study with a 7 on the pain scale and ended the study with a 2 or lower.  After performing hip strengthening exercises for 2X a week for 6 weeks they were all able to reduce or eliminate the pain in their knees.

This is a very promising study which suggests that every individual suffering with patellofemoral knee pain should consider trying a hip strengthening exercise program first to see if that helps relieve the pain behind their knee caps.

If you have already tried hip strengthening exercises and are still suffering with patellofemoral knee pain and want to avoid knee surgery then Dr. Schnees’ Cold Laser Knee Program may be the answer!  Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program combines cold laser therapy, non-weight bearing exercises, with other modalities to help eliminate knee pain, and strengthen the knee.

If you live in the Dallas, Fort Worth or surrounding areas call our office at 214- 596-1051 to find out if you’re a candidate for Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program.

Or if you would like more information about Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program fill out the form on the right side of this screen to get your FREE report mailed to you entitled, Amazing Cold Laser Therapy the Missing Link to Knee Pain Relief!

Dr. Alexandra K. Schnee, B.S.,D.C.,-Your Cold Laser Doctor  for the Treatment of Knee Pain in the Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas Area-“ Dr. Schnee’s Cold Laser Knee Program Has Been Helping People with Knee Pain and Joint Pain in the Dallas, Fort Worth and surrounding areas since 2001.”

Less Knee Pain for Female Runners by Strengthening Their Hips | Dallas-Fort Worth

Dr. Schnee,D.C. Dallas Cold Laser Doctor, explains how by strengthening their hips, female runners can avoid patellofemoral knee pain or Runner’s Knee.

Hip Exercises Found Effective at Reducing, Eliminating Common Knee Pain in Runners, Study Suggests.  Science Daily. June 7, 2010.