How to Diagnose Knee Pain in a Rower

Knee pain is one of the most common injuries in rowing sports. The injury starts when a certain amount of load is applied on the fully flexed knees at the beginning of the stroke. This will then be followed by knee pain, which can either be patellofemoral pain, lateral knee pain or inflammation of the quadriceps tendon. These injuries are usually exacerbated by factors such as fixed position of the knee in the rowing shell, inappropriate placement of the shoes, muscle imbalance, and when doing other strenuous training activities (overuse). Below are the following symptoms of the different sources of knee pain among rowers.

Instructions

  1. Symptoms of Lateral Knee Pain

    • 1

      Patellofemoral pain in rowers is caused by a significant amount of force that is directly applied on the patella. This occurs when the rower is fully flexing his knees, while exerting an effort to row the shell. Symptoms include knee stiffness or dull pain under the patella, which is manifested on the onset of injury.

    • 2

      Stiffness or pain may either improve or disappear when performing an activity, but comes back after hours of rest.

    • 3

      The pain worsens when descending stairs, squatting, kneeling, or when performing activities of high intensity in a long period of time.

    • 4

      Presence of “movie-goer’s sign”, in which pain is triggered from long periods of sitting with flexed knees.

    • 5

      A crunching (crepitus) or grinding sound is heard upon knee movement

    How to Diagnose Lateral Knee Pain in a Rower

    • 6

      Lateral knee pain is caused by excessive friction of the iliotibial band as it slides on the lateral epicondyle. This is common among rowers due to excessive intervals of knee flexion and extension as they row their shells. Symptoms include the Presence of diffusing pain and tenderness on the lateral aspect of the knee.

    • 7

      With continued use of the knee, the initial diffusing pain will gradually progress to a more sharp and localized pain over the lateral femoral epicondyle.

    • 8

      There's the existence of pain even at rest and pain is aggravated when descending inclined areas and sitting with flexed knees for a long time.

    How to Diagnose Inflammation of the Quadriceps Tendon in a Rower

    • 9

      Quadriceps tendon inflammation occurs when rowers place a repeated pounding force on their knees when performing a rowing stroke. Symptoms are pain and swelling located just above the kneecap.

    • 10

      The pain may radiate on the upper part of the leg with the presence of pain during and after any activity involving knee movement.

    • 11

      Stiffness of the knee occurs after performing an activity that puts pressure on the quadriceps tendon and pain is felt when standing up from a squat or crouch position.