WHAT IS IT?
Patellofemoral syndrome is mainly characterized by pain at the front of the knee, and is caused by friction between the kneecap (also called the patella bone) and the surface of the femur underneath it.
Thepatellaisa small flat bone at the front of theknee whichmoves over the femur bone duringflexion-extension movements of the knee.
Pain from patellofemoral syndrome occurs when there is thinning or softening of the articular cartilage below the patella, creating friction and inflammation to occur between the patella and the femur bone.
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Symptoms of patellofemoral syndrome include:
- pain at the front of the knee
- pain which increases with prolonged sitting, and/or with activities of squatting, jumping, kneeling or ascending/descending stairs
- a grindingsensation feltin the kneewithwalking or bending/unbending the knee
- episodes of the knee giving away or the leg suddenly collapsing
RISK FACTORS:
- Â Flat feet(which can causean imbalance inthe biomechanics of theknee during walkingor running)
- A musculature imbalance between the muscles of the thigh
- Muscular weakness or tightness at the thigh muscles
- Misalignment of the patella bone or femur bone
- Hypermobility/instability of the patella bone
WHAT DO PHYSIOTHERAPY TREATMENTS CONSIST OF?
Firstly, physiotherapy treatments will aim to reduce the pain present with the use ofelectrotherapy(such as ultrasoundorTENS), ice andproper education regarding the activities that mayworsen your condition and thus that should be avoided for the time being.Then, yourtherapistwill usea wide array of manual therapy and muscle relaxationtechniques, and will prescribe effective stretching and musclestrengthening exercises to target the cause of the problem.
Therefore, consult a Forcemedic physiotherapist as soon as possible for a quick recovery!
