A sports injury caused by mechanical malfunctions of the knee during running activities, resulting in a softening of the cartilage in the kneecap. The cartilage of the kneecap relies on intermittent compression to release waste products and receive nutrients from the knee joint’s synovial fluid. If the kneecap shifts to the side or does not track smoothly in its thighbone groove during running.
A general term describing several overuse conditions resulting from excessive running. These may involve the extensor mechanism and other musculotendinous insertions. Patellar tendonitis (jumper’s knee), patellofemoral dysfunction, iliotibial band syndrome, and pes anserinus tendonitis or bursitis have all been called by this term.