what causes runner's knee
Your kneecap (the patella) is aligned in a groove at the bottom of your femur, and movement within this groove is referred to as patellar tracking. If your kneecap doesn't move properly in this groove, as you bend and extend your leg while running, it may cause runner's knee. Runnerâs Knee: Risk Factors. Specific factors that can contribute to runner's knee include: 1  Weak thigh muscles. 2  Poor flexibility â tight thigh muscles and ligaments. 3  Overuse â running too much. 4  Trauma or injury. 5  Poor alignment of the kneecap, resulting in wear and tear of the cartilage of the kneecap.