What knee injury is commonly associated with overuse in runners?

The commonly associated knee injury with overuse in runners is iliotibial band syndrome. This condition arises from repetitive friction of the iliotibial band, a thick band of connective tissue that runs along the outer thigh and crosses the knee, especially during activities that involve repeated flexion and extension of the knee, such as running.

In runners, factors such as improper footwear, running on uneven surfaces, and training errors (like suddenly increasing mileage or intensity) can contribute to this syndrome. Symptoms typically include lateral knee pain that worsens with activity, particularly as the knee bends during running.

In contrast, the other injuries listed are generally not categorized as overuse injuries. Anterior cruciate ligament tears are usually the result of sudden stops or changes in direction rather than repetitive stress. Meniscus tears can occur from acute trauma or degeneration, rather than just from overuse. Patellar dislocations typically stem from a sudden pivoting movement or direct impact, differing from the chronic nature of iliotibial band syndrome. Thus, iliotibial band syndrome is the most relevant injury when discussing overuse among runners.