Pain around the front of the knee can be long lasting, limit your daily activities and exercise ability, and feel like it’s never going to go away! The good news is, targeted physiotherapy can help!
What is PFPS? Patellofemoral pain syndrome is a condition we see most commonly in active individuals, but it can affect individuals of all ages and lifestyles1. Generally, you will experience pain behind and around the patella (kneecap) with activities such as stairs, squatting, running and sometimes long periods of sitting1. See below for some common activities and the levels of force they cause to be transmitted through the patellofemoral joint.
Why does it occur? Symptoms are thought to be caused by irritation of the under-surface of the patella where it sits in a groove on the femur (thigh bone). This can occur because of inefficient movement of the patella over the femur. This condition most often occurs due to a change in activity such as increased frequency, load, or type of exercise, which exceeds the capacity of the joint1.
By addressing factors feeding into this inefficiency and overload, we can restore optimal movement of the patella on the femur-settling the joint to relieve pain, and preventing future recurrence. Some common contributing factors are tightness of muscle/connective tissue at the outer thigh and hip, weakness or lack of motor control of the quadriceps (anterior thigh muscle), and weakness or lack of motor control of the stabilising muscles around the hip.
What can physio do? Initial treatment will aim to settle the irritation and inflammation occurring in the patellofemoral joint. This might include icing, activity modification, soft tissue massage, and taping to offload joint structures. Once settled, we will turn our attention to addressing the underlying causes of the condition. This will likely include a strength and control program targeting the hip, knee and other lower limb muscles, as well as a plan to gradually reintroduce activities without overloading the joint. Treatment will always be tailored to your needs based on your individualised assessment. Stay tuned for a future post with some basic exercises and guidelines!
Your physio can guide you through the progressions needed to safely return to the activities you love, whether it’s sprinting, skating or scuba diving!
If you would like further information or would like to book in a consultation with Maddy, please contact us on 9439 6776.
This article is written by Maddy Dawson, Physiotherapist at Back In Motion Eltham.
References:
- Willy, R. W., Hoglund, L. T., Barton, C. J., Bolgla, L. A., Scalzitti, D. A., Logerstedt, D. S. … McDonough, C. M. (2019). Patellofemoral Pain. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 49(9), CPG1-CPG95. doi:10.2519/jospt.2019.0302