Also known as runner’s knee or jumper’s knee.
It often affects athletes and those who engage in running, basketball, and other sports.
However, patellofemoral syndrome can also affect non-athletes and is frequently seen in adolescents, young people, manual workers, and older adults.
Patellofemoral pain syndrome occurs when nerves in the tendons, synovial tissue, and bone around the kneecap sense pain.
Onset :
- The onset of patellofemoral syndrome can be gradual or result from a single incident.
Symptoms:
- Knee pain can become worse when they do any of the following movements: – kneeling
-squatting
-ascending or descending stairs
-sitting for long periods of time
- mild swelling
- a sensation of grating or grinding when bending or extending the leg
- reduced thigh muscle strength if initial symptoms are left untreated.
- Pain on the front of the knee after sitting for a long period of time with your knees bent, such as one does in a movie theater or when riding on an airplane.
- Pain related to a change in activity level or intensity, playing surface, or equipment.
- Popping or crackling sounds in your knee when climbing stairs or when standing up after prolonged sitting.
Causes:
- By vigorous physical activities that put repeated stress on the knee —such as jogging, squatting, and climbing stairs.
- By a sudden change in physical activity
- Use of improper sports training techniques or equipment
- Changes in footwear or playing surface.
- By abnormal tracking of the kneecap in the trochlear groove
Prevention:
- Maintain strength. Strong quadriceps and hip abductor muscles help keep the knee balanced during activity, but avoid deep squatting during your weight training.
- Think alignment and technique
- Lose excess pounds. If you’re overweight, losing weight relieves stress on your knees.
- Warm up. Before running or other exercise, warm up with five minutes or so of light activity.
- Stretch. Promote flexibility with gentle stretching exercises.
- Increase intensity gradually. Avoid sudden changes in the intensity of your workouts.
- Practice shoe smarts. Make sure your shoes fit well and provide good shock absorption. If you have flat feet, consider shoe inserts.
Risk factors:
- Age- adults and youngsters are at higher risk .
- Sex- female are more affected
- Flat foot
- Muscular imbalance
- High impact activities
Special test :– Clarke’s test
-Single Leg Stance:
Physiotherapy Management:
- RICE protocol, standing for Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation, involves resting the leg, applying ice packs regularly, using compression bandages, and elevating the knee above heart level. The RICE protocol is most effective when used within 72 hours of injury.
- Patellar Tapping
- Exercises and stretches
- Brace
- Avoid activities that include repetitive high-impact actions
- Avoid sitting for long periods of time
- Avoid going up and down stairs or other steep inclines going up and down stairs or other steep inclines
- Quadriceps stretch
- Side-lying leg lift
- Straight leg raise
- Step-up
- Wall squat with a ball
- Resisted terminal knee extension
- Standing calf stretch
- Iliotibial band stretch
- Hamstring Stretch
- Hip Strengthening
- Banded bridges
- Patella glides
- Long adductor stretch
- Short adductor stretch
