Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome occurs when your kneecap (or patella) becomes irritated and inflamed, placing pressure on the shallow groove in your thighbone.

Often referred to as ‘runner’s knee’, Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome may present itself in several ways, including:

pain in your knees while watching television;

difficulty standing up after prolonged sitting;

pain in your knees when walking downstairs;

severe pain in your knees when squatting.

Several factors may contribute to the development of patellofemoral pain, including:

abnormal leg rotation (or ‘knock knees’);

weak or unbalanced thigh muscles, causing your kneecap to move towards the outside of your knee;

excessive pronation (or ‘rolling in’) of your feet, altering the relationship between your thighbone and kneecap;

overuse, especially if you are active in sports involving running or jumping.

If Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome is left untreated, the underside of your kneecap may become chronically irritated and inflamed, leading to arthritis. Treatment will depend on your individual contributing factors, and may include:

rest from aggravating activities;

ice to reduce inflammation;

exercises to stretch, strengthen and balance your thigh muscles;

footwear changes to absorb shock and help support your feet;

prescription orthotics to correct any lower limb malalignment and reduce stress across your knee joints.

Prescription orthotics are an important part of treating Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome, as the function of your feet can play a major role in the development of patellofemoral pain.

If you think you may have Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome, or suffer from any chronic pain in your knees, contact us.