Patello-Femoral Pain Syndrome

Patello-Femoral Pain Syndrome (Runners Knee)

What is Patello-Femoral Pain Syndrome (PSPS)?

PFPS typically presents as generalised pain at the front of the knee. It commonly occurs with activities involving weight bearing with bending and straightening of the knee. These activities include running, cycling, climbing up and down stairs or weight training. This type of injury generally comes on gradually and is not associated with a twisting mechanism.

How Does PFPS Happen?

Anything that increases the loading on knee cap or changes the way it moves over the knee joint can contribute to patello-femoral pain. Typically a number of biomechanical factors cause the kneecap to be pulled laterally (to the outside). Instead of it sliding nicely in its groove on the femur (thigh bone) it rubs against the outside of the groove producing pain and occasionally a grinding sound known as crepitis. The biomechanical factors include bony varience, foot overpronation, weak quadriceps and hip stabilisers, tight quadriceps or ITB.

What Get Active can do to Treat PFPS

Soft Tissue Massage to release tight muscles including the hip stabilizers, quads and ITB
Joint mobilization of the patella to glide it medially (towards the inside)
Specific Exercises to loosen or stretch tight structures and strengthen weak muscles. In this condition strengthening of the quadricepss and hip stabilizers are particularly important
Your therapist may utilize specialist taping techniques to help pull the patella into a better position
Gait Scan and Orthotic prescription to control excessive pronation and align the lower limb