What is patellofemoral pain syndrome?
The knee is the largest joint in the body and it is composed of the femur (thigh bone), tibia (leg bone), and patella (knee cap). The knee cap sits in between the sulcus of the thigh bone and articulates smoothly with it. Patellofemoral pain syndrome, commonly known as runner’s knee, is the misalignment of the knee cap against the thigh bone which may cause tracking disorders during knee movement.
What are the signs and symptoms?
The main symptom of patellofemoral pain syndrome is a diffused pain or stiffness at the knee cap and its surrounding. Pain is made worse when the knee underwent flexion and extension motion such as kneeling, climbing stairs, running, jumping and cycling. On top of that, grinding or clicking sensation also can be felt at times. Sitting in a bent knee position for too long will also trigger the pain, especially in the cinema or taking a long-haul flight.
What causes patellofemoral pain syndrome?
The most common cause of this is a poor biomechanical function of the lower limb (i.e. the way your leg function whilst walking and exercising). This can be due to a poor control around the hip and/or poor foot function (flat foot).
Other factors that may contribute to worsening of the syndrome such as:
- Muscular weakness/imbalances at the front of the thigh (quadriceps)
- Malalignment between the position of the knee cap and the thigh bone
- Increased level of physical activities
- Improper training techniques or equipment
How is it diagnosed?
Diagnosing this requires a comprehensive physical examination and gait analysis. Imaging such as X-ray is very helpful in ruling out chondromalacia patella (knee cap arthritis), which is often associated with this particular pain syndrome.
What types of treatment are there?
- Custom foot orthotics
- Medical grade therapeautic machines
- Stretching and strengthening exercises
- Knee bracing
- Sports Taping
- Footwear modification
Most conservative treatments should suffice but if these don’t work, then the best thing is to seek surgical advice from an Orthopaedic Doctor who specialises in the knee.
If you suspect that you have patellofemoral pain syndrome, it is advisable to get it checked before the condition worsens and affect your daily life.
What is patellofemoral pain syndrome?
The knee is the largest joint in the body and it is composed of the femur (thigh bone), tibia (leg bone), and patella (knee cap). The knee cap sit in between the sulcus of the thigh bone and articulate smoothly with it. Patellofemoral pain syndrome, commonly known as runner’s knee, is the misalignment of the knee cap against the thigh bone which may cause tracking disorders during knee movement.
What are the signs and symptoms?
The main symptom of patellofemoral pain syndrome is a diffused pain or stiffness at the knee cap and its surrounding. Pain is made worse when the knee underwent flexion and extension motion such as kneeling, climbing stairs, running, jumping and cycling. On top of that, grinding or clicking sensation also can be felt at times. Sitting in a bent knee position for too long will also trigger the pain, especially in the cinema or taking a long-haul flight.
What causes patellofemoral pain syndrome?
The most common cause of this is poor biomechanical function of the lower limb (i.e. the way your leg function whist walking and exercising). This can be due to a poor control around the hip and/or poor foot function (flat foot).
Other factors that may contribute to worsening of the syndrome such as:
- Muscular weakness/imbalances at the front of the thigh (quadriceps)
- Malalignment between the position of the knee cap and the thigh bone
- Increased level of physical activities
- Improper training techniques or equipment
How is it diagnosed?
Diagnosing this requires a comprehensive physical examination and gait analysis. Imaging such as X-ray is very helpful in ruling out chondromalacia patella (knee cap arthritis), which is often associated with this particular pain syndrome.
What types of treatment are there?
- Custom foot orthotics
- Medical grade therapeautic machines
- Stretching and strengthening exercises
- Knee bracing
- Sports Taping
- Footwear modification
Most conservative treatments should suffice but if these doesn’t work, then the best thing is to seek surgical advice from an Orthopaedic Doctor who specialise in the knee.
If you suspect that you have patellofemoral pain syndrome, it is advisable to get it checked before the condition worsens and affect your daily life.
