Patellofemoral syndrome or patellofemoral pain syndrome is a term used to describe pain around the patella (kneecap) and in-front of the knee.
Patellofemoral syndrome is one of the most common causes of knee pain and can be triggered by overuse of the knee joint, physical trauma or a misalignment of the knee cap.
Symptoms of Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
You can expect the pain to become worse while doing the following:
– Running
– Squatting
– Sitting for long periods of time
– Jumping
You may also experience:
– Swelling
– The sensation of grinding when extending the leg
– Popping or cracking sounds in your knee when climbing stairs or standing up
Causes of Patellofemoral Pain
Patellofemoral pain happens when the back of the kneecap comes into contact with the thigh bone. This can be due to an overuse of the knee while running or jumping, Muscle imbalances such as those around the hip and knee or a sudden trauma or injury to the kneecap.
Diagnosis or Patellofemoral Pain
Your Physiotherapist will carry out a thorough examination to help diagnose the cause of your pain and to rule out any other physical problems.
Your Physiotherapist will also check:
– Knee stability, hip rotation and range of motions of knees and hips
– Tenderness in the kneecap
– Strength and flexibility of the quadriceps and hamstrings
– Examine your gait and the way you walk, this may be contributing to your knee pain
Modify your Training
A common question we are asked is – Can I still exercise if I have Patellofemoral Pain?
The answer is yes! By simply modifying your existing training regime as well as adding specific rehab exercises your qualified physiotherapists has given you, most certainly we want you to continue exercising if you are not experiencing any additional pain or symptoms.
Instead of running you can walk!
Instead of plyometric squats you can do bodyweight stationary squats!
Instead of plyometric jumping lunges you can perform stationary lunges!
Our aim is to strengthen what is currently weak therefore we do not encourage you to stop training all together. You will work 1 on 1 with one of our highly qualified Physiotherapists who will be able to educate you on the correct exercise modification.
Recovery
Your recovery will depend of multiple factors including your age, how long you have been experiencing the pain for, your adherence to the treatment plan and the severity of the symptoms.
Do you suffer from knee pain that doesn’t seem to be getting better?
Do your knees ache when you stand after sitting for a prolonged period of time?
Do you ever feel a dull ache during or after running?
Let us help you!! Book your consultation today with one of our qualified Physiotherapists who can help get you back to living pain free! BOOK TODAY
WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT KNEE PAIN
Here is a related article on General Knee Pain – CLICK HERE
Read More
