Breaststroker’s Knee

86% of breaststrokers report having experienced knee pain!

47% of breaststrokers have knee pain at least once per week!

Overuse is the main culprit of knee pain in swimmers. Repetitive stress is placed on the medial knee and producing pain during the whip-like motion.

The breaststroke kick is a high valgus load produced during sudden flexion-extension, adduction and external rotation of the knee. This movement against the hydrodynamic environment of the water generally can result in stress to the medial compartment of the knee.

Causes of breaststroker’s knee:

• Decreased internal rotation of hip

• Decreased extension of hip

• Increased training volume of breaststroke

• Decreased warm up

• Decreased hip abduction angle

• Patella maltracking

• Hypermobility

Signs and symptoms of breaststroker’s knee:

• Generalised knee pain

• Swelling of the knee

• A sharp pain in the knee when placing it under stress

• Pain is worse when going up stairs or hills

• Pain in the knee during the outsweep of breaststroke

Any of this sounding familiar? Get in touch for an assessment to ensure you stay in the water!