Ever suffered from knee pain around your knee cap that is often worse after activity? While there are many types and causes of knee pain, a very common type is known as patella femoral pain.
What is it?
Patella femoral pain syndrome is a term used to describe pain which occurs at the front of the knee cap. It can be caused by various factors including poor biomechanics or alignment of the hip, knee or ankle joint, overactivity and weakness of the muscles supporting the knee joint2.
It is estimated that around 11-17% of all knee pain presenting to a practice is likely patella femoral pain, so it is quite common1. It is most common in individuals under 40 years of age who are physically active, and while more common in females, it can occur in all ages and genders1.
Symptoms/Signs of patella femoral pain are listed below:
- Pain localised to the front of the knee joint: usually surrounding the knee cap or can sometimes be reported behind the knee cap2
- Weakness or pain during extending the knee joint2
- Increased knee pain after activity, particularly during climbing stairs, walking up/down hills, standing up, and other activities which involve bending the knee joint2
How is it diagnosed?
Patella femoral pain is often diagnosed after a physical assessment performed by your general practitioner, physiotherapist, osteopath, chiropractor and other qualified health practitioners. The practitioner will often obtain a full history and ask further questions to gain understanding on your knee pain and will complete a series of physical assessments to determine the likely causes of your knee pain.
So… how can physiotherapy help my knee pain?
Often the likely causes of patellofemoral pain can be very different from individual to individual. Therefore, it is important to consult your physiotherapist for a full assessment to identify the causes of your pain to form a management program which is most suited to you!
Physiotherapists can assist with many different techniques to assist in improving your knee pain. These may include but may not be limited to: massage, joint mobilisations, taping, education for pain-management strategies and clinical exercises to reduce pain levels and improve strength in all muscles that support not just the knee joint, but hip and ankle joints as well.
All exercise and management programs are individualised and designed just for you to get you back to doing what you love!
Call us on 9439 6776 to book in for a Free Initial Assessment if you would like your knee assessed.
This blog is written by Narin Deniz, Physiotherapist at Back In Motion Eltham.
References:
1. Crossley, K. M., Callaghan, M. J., & van Linschoten, R. (2016). Patellofemoral pain. British journal of sports medicine, 50(4), 247-250. doi 10.1136/bjsports-2015-h3939re
2. Thomeé, R., Augustsson, J., & Karlsson, J. (1999). Patellofemoral pain syndrome. Sports medicine, 28(4), 245-262. doi /10.2165/00007256-199928040-00003