Treatments Classes

Runners Knee Patellofemoral pain syndrome

Patellofemoral pain syndrome, often referred to as runner’s knee or anterior knee pain, is a common knee condition characterised by pain around or behind the kneecap (patella). It typically occurs during activities that involve bending the knee, such as running, squatting, going up or down stairs, or sitting for prolonged periods of time with the knees bent. Patellofemoral pain syndrome is often influenced by an imbalance in the forces acting upon the patella as it moves within the femoral groove.
Several factors can contribute to the development of patellofemoral pain syndrome, including overuse, muscular imbalances including weakness or tightness in the muscles around the knee and hip, biomechanical issues, and improper footwear or training techniques.

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Symptoms

1.Pain around or behind the knee cap, which may worsen with activities such as running, jumping, or prolonged sitting.
2.Pain during movements that involve bending the knee such as climbing stairs, squatting, or kneeling.
3.Swelling or tenderness around the knee.
4.There may be a sensation of grinding, popping, or clicking in the knee joint during movement.

Treatments

Patellofemoral pain syndrome is treated using a wide variety of methods, and your physiotherapist will be able to identify which treatments would be most effective for you based on your presentation of symptoms.
The primary treatment method for patellofemoral pain syndrome is often physiotherapy. Initial goals of physiotherapy will be to alter exacerbating movements or activities, whilst continuing to encourage individuals to remain as active as possible [1]. Studies have found that patients who exercise will generally have an improvement in pain in the short- and long-term, both at rest and with activity, compared to those who do not exercise [2]. Exercises provided by physiotherapists will focus on hip, trunk and knee strengthening through a mixture of single and double leg exercises [3]. Balance exercises, including single leg standing, have also been shown to improve knee control and improve functionality within patellofemoral pain syndrome [4]. Taping may also be applied to the knee, particularly in individuals where the pain may be related to patellar mal-tracking, which may provide temporary pain relief [5]. In individuals who participate in running sports, gait retraining is also important within the rehabilitation process as addressing faulty biomechanical patterns play a significant role in addressing patellofemoral pain. This would be followed by a gradual return to activity or sport as pain decreases [6].

References

1.Thomas MJ, Wood L, Selfe J, Peat G. Anterior knee pain in younger adults as a precursor to subsequent patellofemoral osteoarthritis: a systematic review. BMC musculoskeletal disorders. 2010 Dec;11:1-8.
2.Van der Heijden RA, Lankhorst NE, van Linschoten R, Bierma‐Zeinstra SM, van Middelkoop M. Exercise for treating patellofemoral pain syndrome. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2015(1).
3.Gaitonde, D. Y., Ericksen, A., & Robbins, R. C. (2019). Patellofemoral pain syndrome. American family physician, 99(2), 88-94.
4.Da Silva Boitrago MV, de Mello NN, Barin FR, Júnior PL, de Souza Borges JH, Oliveira M. Effects of proprioceptive exercises and strengthening on pain and functionality for patellofemoral pain syndrome in women: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of clinical orthopaedics and trauma. 2021 Jul 1;18:94-9.
5.Jones BQ, Covey CJ, Sineath Jr MH. Nonsurgical management of knee pain in adults. American family physician. 2015 Nov 15;92(10):875-83.
5.Davis IS, Tenforde AS, Neal BS, Roper JL, Willy RW. Gait retraining as an intervention for patellofemoral pain. Current reviews in musculoskeletal medicine. 2020 Feb;13:103-14.
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