Approach to common causes of knee pain^* in adult runners

ED: emergency department; ITB: iliotibial band.

* Not all knee pain is caused by knee pathology. Conditions in the hip or lower leg can radiate to the knee or may present as knee pain.

¶ The diagnoses included here are those that occur most often in adult runners. However, runners may develop other musculoskeletal knee injuries, possibly unrelated to running. Refer to UpToDate topics covering musculoskeletal injury of the knee for a more complete discussion.

Δ To perform Garrick test, patient lies supine with hips and knees flexed to 90 degrees. Pain at popliteal tendon with resisted internal rotation or passive external rotation of the knee marks positive test.