Runner's Knee

Symptoms: A common complaint among long-distance runners, runner's knee feels like a soreness around and sometimes behind the kneecap. It's usually aggravated by running or climbing stairs. Your knee may feel stiff and sore after sitting down for long periods.You might even hear a clicking sound when you bend or extend your knee.

Cause : Runner's knee is usually caused by weakness in the middle quadriceps muscles or shoes that do not give proper support.

Treatment: First, you can reduce the pain and inflammation by icing your knees immediately after running. Take an anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen or aspirin after running, too, but only with food and never before running. Work on strengthening your quad muscles, which will help support and stabilize your kneecap. Make sure you have the right kind of shoes for your foot type. You may also want to consider buying over-the-counter arch supports. If you're still experiencing pain, you may need to see a doctor about getting custom-fitted orthotics.