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Runner's Knee

Runner's knee, or iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS), is a common overuse injury causing sharp pain on the outside of the knee during activity.

MRI Knee

MRI Knee

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

4 295 kr

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Contents

Quick version

What is Runner's Knee?

Runner's knee, or iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS), occurs when the long tendon running from the hip to the outside of the lower leg (IT band) becomes irritated. During repeated bending and straightening of the knee, the tendon slides over a bony prominence on the outside of the femur. If the load becomes too high, local inflammation or irritation occurs, leading to pain.

Unlike a cruciate ligament injury, runner's knee is not an acute injury caused by trauma, but a repetitive strain injury caused by monotonous movements.

Common Symptoms of Runner's Knee

Symptoms of runner's knee often come on gradually and are clearly linked to activity.

Symptoms during activity

  • A sharp or burning pain on the outside of the knee.
  • Pain often starts after a certain distance or time during a run.
  • Pain worsens when running downhill or taking longer strides.
  • Pain often disappears shortly after stopping, but returns during the next session.

Symptoms in daily life

  • Stiffness on the outside of the thigh.
  • Tenderness when pressing directly on the bony prominence on the outside of the knee.
  • Pain when walking down stairs.

Why do you get Runner's Knee?

The primary cause is an increase in training volume that is too rapid, but several factors play a role:

  • Overload: Running too far, too often, or too intensely without sufficient recovery.
  • Weak gluteal muscles: If the muscles around the hip are weak, the knee may collapse inward, increasing tension in the IT band.
  • Running gait and equipment: Old shoes or a running style that puts weight on the outside of the foot.
  • Anatomy: People who are bow-legged (varus alignment) have naturally higher tension in the tendon.

When should you seek care?

Contact a healthcare provider or physiotherapist if:

  • The pain prevents you from performing daily activities.
  • Rest does not provide improvement after 1–2 weeks.
  • You have swelling or redness on the outside of the knee that does not subside.

How to find out if you have Runner's Knee

A physiotherapist or doctor can usually diagnose the condition through a clinical examination and specific provocation tests (e.g., Noble's test).

If the diagnosis is uncertain, or if other injuries such as a meniscus tear or cruciate ligament injury are suspected, an MRI of the knee is the best tool. MRI provides a detailed image of soft tissues and can confirm if there is thickening of the IT band or fluid accumulation under the tendon.

Questions and answers

The primary cause is overtraining—increasing distance or intensity too quickly. Contributing factors include weak gluteal muscles, anatomical alignment (being bow-legged), or improper footwear.

Symptoms include a sharp or burning sensation on the outside of the knee that develops during exercise. You may also feel stiffness in the outer thigh and pain when walking down stairs.

Is runner's knee an acute injury? No, runner's knee is a wear-and-tear injury caused by repetitive motion and mechanical friction, rather than a sudden traumatic event like an ACL tear.

Related tests and health checks

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MRI Knee

MRI Knee

Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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Medical comment included

With us, you will always receive a doctor’s opinion from a licensed physician when you order a medical check-up that includes a medical opinion. The doctor’s opinion includes an overall assessment of your results from laboratory analysis. The opinion is individual and may vary depending on the specific tests your medical check-up includes.

What can I expect in the medical report?

The medical opinion will summarize the results of your test results to give you an assessment of your health including any abnormalities outside the reference ranges. In case of abnormalities or need, your doctor may also contact you for a free conversation to explain and talk about your results. Remember that a health check always includes specific test results based on your health and your personal circumstances. Values outside the reference range should therefore always be discussed with a doctor before any decisions regarding possible treatment are made.

What does the doctor look at during a health check?

When assessing a blood test or health check, your doctor will look at several different parameters to evaluate your health and identify any abnormalities. Below are some common aspects your doctor may examine:

Blood counts: Your doctor will check red, white and platelet counts to identify any signs of anaemia, infection or bleeding.

Nutrients and biochemical markers: Includes, for example, analysis and monitoring of blood sugar (glucose) levels, electrolyte levels (e.g. sodium, potassium), liver function tests (e.g. liver enzymes), kidney function tests (e.g. creatinine, urea) and lipid profile (e.g. cholesterol, triglycerides). The results of the tests give your doctor a better idea of your organ function, blood sugar level, cholesterol conditions and other important health aspects.

Inflammatory markers: Your doctor may measure health markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP) or red blood cell decrease rate (SR) to evaluate inflammatory conditions or confirm an active infection.

Hormone levels: Your doctor may monitor your hormone levels to assess hormonal imbalances or diseases, such as thyroid hormones (TSH, T3, T4), sex hormones or other specific hormones such as testosterone levels.

Specific tests: Depending on your goal of your health check or medical history, your doctor may look into specific tests to investigate conditions or diseases, such as diabetes, vitamin deficiency or autoimmune diseases.

In conclusion, the doctor weighs all test results based on the health check to assess your overall health, detect any abnormalities and identify possible underlying medical conditions.

What happens if I have abnormal test results?

If your blood count is abnormal, this will be addressed in your personal medical opinion. Depending on the nature and extent of the abnormality, your doctor may also contact you directly through the test result service for further guidance. Various measures and advice will be provided based on the specific abnormalities observed along with your medical history.

Call included

Call included, one of our doctors will contact you.
  • MRI knee – advanced magnetic resonance imaging without referral.
  • Recommended for knee pain, instability, or suspected injury.
  • High-precision imaging of meniscus, cruciate ligaments, cartilage, and joint structures<./li>
  • Fast, painless examination with specialist evaluation within a few days.

4 295 kr

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