Possible future treatments for runner's knee and other running injuries?

How about, instead of banking on the possibility that there will be some miracle cure developed in the near future, you actually do something about it and strengthen your knee-stabilizing muscles?

Try these:

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=runner%27s+knee+exercises

Wtf is runner's knee?

Luckily, I was able to find a link that explains it fairly well: http://lmgtfy.com/?q=runner%27s+knee

vox cursor wrote:

As a younger runner, I am hoping that advancements in medicine will stay just ahead of my injury rate. This is why I am in favor of stem cell research, because, as my left knee has already started to show signs of runner's knee, I quite like the idea that new cartilage can be grown to repair any damage I do to my joints. Since the body does not regrow cartilage, this would allow people to continue running much later in life.

How would the stem cell treatments you are thinking of be different from ACI, which I've had--none-to-successfully.

That's not a snarky comment, I'm not up on stem cells and joints...

herp derp wrote:

Luckily, I was able to find a link that explains it fairly well:

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=runner%27s+knee

Thanks.

My point was that there's no such ailment. Its a term used to describe any knee pain suffered by a runner regardless of the root cause.

lol lol lol lol wrote:

How would the stem cell treatments you are thinking of be different from ACI, which I've had--none-to-successfully.

That's not a snarky comment, I'm not up on stem cells and joints...

Given your handle, a snarky comment was the last thing I would expect. (now *that* was a snarky comment)

But anyway, ACI requires the removal of cartilage, expansion in a lab, and the insertion of the desired amount of cartilage back into the knee, as well as the requisite cutting to insert the cartilage and the anchoring periosteum that is cut from the shin.

For stem cells I foresee two cases. The first is the stem cells would be set to grow into cartilaginous cells in a lab and inserted into the affected joint, which would be similar to ACI but without the arthroscopic removal.

The second, most idealized case would involve injecting the stem cells directly into the affected area and allowing them to grow within the joint. This would involve a simple injection or at most arthroscopy, and forgo large incisions; the cells would be injected into the existing cartilage, using it as a foundation. This would eliminate the need for the periosteum. Likely this would mean a cast to hold the joint rigid while the cells grow. This process could also allow greater precision in placing the desired amount of cells in the correct areas.

Please bear in mind, I'm not a medical doctor so this is purely from a biological understanding of stem cells and their capabilities, rather than medical. Due to their versatility, the second case is very tantalizing, only requiring time and research.

Hmmm. I thought Runner's Knee was a common name for Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome, not to be confused with Chrondromalacia, Iliotibial Band Syndrome, osteoarthritis, or simply a torn meniscus, among many others.Actually knee pain looks quite complicated to diagnose:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knee_painwith "Runner's Knee" featuring as only one possibility of many.Maybe I'm doing too much "google" research.

No Way wrote:Thanks.

My point was that there's no such ailment. Its a term used to describe any knee pain suffered by a runner regardless of the root cause.

In a way you're right. However of the dozen or so patients I see a year who are referred to my practice for "runners knee" most have ITBS, some have osteoarthritis, and some just have general inflamation and have to take it easy for a week or so.Runner's Knee may have originally meant PPS, but now any pain in a runner's knee ends up being called runner's knee by their physician. Its the same with shin splints. It was originally MTSS, but now any shin pain while running is diagnosed as shin splints.You're also right about knee pain being difficult to diagnose. Even once you determine whats hurting, its often difficult to find the root cause quickly. This leads to many patients becoming frusterated and giving up on treatment.

rekrunner wrote:

Hmmm. I thought Runner's Knee was a common name for Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome, not to be confused with Chrondromalacia, Iliotibial Band Syndrome, osteoarthritis, or simply a torn meniscus, among many others.

Actually knee pain looks quite complicated to diagnose:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knee_pain

with "Runner's Knee" featuring as only one possibility of many.

Maybe I'm doing too much "google" research.

No Way wrote:Thanks.

My point was that there's no such ailment. Its a term used to describe any knee pain suffered by a runner regardless of the root cause.

Any thoughts on what to do to prevent ITBS?

My husband has kept me fully apprised on any and all articles regarding stem cell research and joints (at least those that he stumbles upon) because he has hip arthritis and had to stop running as a result.

Those articles said that, at least so far, it appears that stem cells are more likely to grow into cancer cells--at least that was my understanding. Anyone know anything differently?

That being said, I am hopeful about prolotherapy--at least the sugar and PRP solutions (injected into the joint). And at least one prolotherapist is trying to inject bone marrow and stem cells into the body. See caringmedical.com. Not sure how that experiment relates to the possible cancer concern. I wouldn't want stem cells injected without further research, but would consider sugar and/or PRP (your own platelet rich plasma).

Arthritis is a bitch...

so[%HI -b5 wrote:

Any thoughts on what to do to prevent ITBS?

Avoid overtraining and stretch your ITB. As long as your biomechanics are decent that should be enough. If you're already suffering you need to get the inflamation to go down. Unfortunately, the only way to do that is rest and ice.

Your ITB moves over a "bump" on the outside of your knee as you run. If the band is too tight, this causes irritation which leads to inflamation. Warming up and stretching is the best prevention of this.

Hydration, nutrition, and overall health also play a part in the condition of your connective tissues.

As much as it pains me to say it, as a last resort you can try orthotics.

The problem with using stem cells to regrow cartilage in a lab is that you need to have them arranged in a matrix, not just a blob of material.

On the other hand it looks like some scientists are trying to stimulate the body to grow more cartilage on its own (http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080411085922.htm). It'll be interesting to see where this goes.

It's pretty funny that you say you're "already showing signs of runner's knee". Runner's knee is just an injury; that's like saying you're already showing signs of shin splints. I've gotten runner's knee plenty of times in the past because of a biomechanical issue and it goes away if you let the joint recover and do some exercises.

Yeah sounds about right. I'm pretty good at holding things together just looking for even better ideas. I used to think of my biomechanics as a strong point but now I'm 45 and despite getting back down to high school weight last year, I still have to be really careful.