Browsing on the Internet I stumbled upon what my injury is called: a runner’s knee.  According to Wikipedia, a runner’s knee, also called Chondromalacia patellae (CMP) or Patello-femoral Pain Syndrome, is a term for a large and disparate group of medical conditions that can cause pain in the front of the knee.  It is common in young adults, especially soccer players, cyclists, rowers, tennis players, ballet dancers, horseback riders, and runners. Snowboarders are especially prone to this injury, particularly those specializing in jumps where the knees are under great stress.  The condition may result from acute injury to the patella or from chronic friction between the patella and the groove in the femur through which it passes during motion of the knee.  CMP specifically refers to a knee that has been structurally damaged, while the more generic term Patello-femoral Pain Syndrome refers to the earlier stages of the condition, where symptoms are often fully reversible using treatments such as the RICE method (an acronym for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation), anti-inflammatory painkillers, physiotherapy and treatment of any underlying cause of the pain.  It is often simply an overuse injury.

Now I know I’m a bit of a running addict for having an “overuse” injury.  Hopefully I get “fixed” soon—I can’t wait to get back to running.

Run safe and happy holidays!