Health Tip: You Don't Have to Run to Get Runner's Knee

(HealthDay News) -- Patellofemoral pain, commonly called runner's knee, describes a host of conditions that cause a dull pain in the front of the kneecap where it connects to the thighbone.

Activities that put heavy stress on the knees increase the risk of runner's knee. Besides people who run, skiers, cyclists and soccer players may develop runner's knee, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons says.

The academy mentions these contributing factors for development of runner's knee:

• A poorly aligned kneecap.
• A dislocated knee.
• Another type of injury to the knee.
• Training too vigorously or overusing the knee.
• Thigh muscles that are weak, improperly balanced, or tight.
• Flat feet.