Common Knee Conditions in Athletes
Athletes place extraordinary demands on the knee joint. Understanding the specific diagnosis — rather than treating all knee pain identically — is critical for effective rehabilitation.
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (Runner's Knee)
Weak hip abductors (Glute Med) allow the knee to collapse inward during running, causing the patella to track abnormally. Hip strengthening combined with patellar taping and gait retraining is highly effective.
Patellar Tendinopathy (Jumper's Knee)
Overuse tendon degeneration from repetitive jumping. Heavy slow resistance (leg press, squat) — counterintuitively — is the best treatment, promoting tendon collagen remodelling.
IT Band Syndrome
Lateral knee pain from repetitive friction of the IT band over the lateral femoral condyle. Hip abductor strengthening, foam rolling, and running mechanics correction address the underlying cause.
Load Management in Athlete Rehabilitation
All tendon and overuse conditions respond to load management — reducing training volume by 20–30%, maintaining aerobic base with low-impact alternatives, and progressing load slowly based on symptom response.