08/31/2026
🏃♀️ Is knee pain after running “normal”?
It depends.
Running places significant demands on your body, and some muscle soreness after increasing your training can be completely normal.
But recurring, worsening or activity-limiting knee pain shouldn’t simply be written off as part of being a runner.
Your pain could be influenced by training load, strength, mobility, running mechanics, recovery—or a combination of factors.
The good news? You don’t necessarily have to stop running altogether.
The first step is understanding what’s causing the problem and what your body needs to tolerate your training better.
🚨 If you’re experiencing significant swelling, instability, locking/catching, or an inability to bear weight, seek professional evaluation. At Carolina Sports Clinic, our team of sports medicine experts can help!
Save this for your next run—and send it to your running buddy who keeps saying, “It’s probably nothing.”