As the weather warms up and we slowly get out and about again, it is all too common to develop pain in the front of the knee. This is often brought on by an increase in weight bearing activity, such as walking or running. It goes by lots of different names including Patellofemoral Joint Syndrome, Runner’s Knee, Retropatella Pain Syndrome and Chondromalacia Patella to name a few.
The cause of the pain behind the knee cap is still debated but there are likely many factors at play. There is possibly a malalignment of the patella which is caused by overactive lateral /outside structures and underactive medial /inner muscles. Along with poor hip and / or foot control, this can result in an increase in loading to cartilage and underlying bone of the knee cap and leg. This increase in mechanical loading can also lead to swelling and irritation around the knee cap which can lead to a restriction of activities.
These abnormalities are much more likely to occur when we substantially or rapidly increase our activity levels. That can be anything from starting a walking program after a lengthy gap in exercise (especially straight after winter!) or increasing the frequency or intensity of activity suddenly.
People with Patellofemoral pain will often have a number of modifiable and unmodifiable risk factors. Some factors that are very difficult to change include:
- Internally rotated hips
- Shallow or deep trochlear grooves (where the patella sits)
- Leg length discrepancies
Luckily, there are many other factors that can be changed and may lead to a decrease in symptoms. These include:
- Muscle weakness
- Poor muscle activation
- Muscle tightness
- Excessive pronation of the foot (flat feet)
- Poor footwear
- Poor training program/habits
- Inadequate rest between bouts of exercise
Due to the complexity of Patellofemoral Syndrome, a thorough assessment by your physiotherapist is vital to developing the most appropriate intervention. Taking an accurate history and creating appropriate goals will ensure our clients are able to return to their preferred activities. We work closely with our clients to achieve their goals and ensure they get long lasting results.
If you are struggling with Patellofemoral Syndrome, please don’t hesitate to call our clinic on 03 9716 2250 for an appointment with one of our experienced therapists today.