PATELLOFEMORAL PAIN SYNDROME
Above is a picture of the patella/kneecap. #Patellofemoral pain is a range of pains or disorders that can be anything from mild discomfort to severe pain. The pain is thought to originate from contact between the back of the knee cap and the thigh bone.
The pain source of the cartilage is controversial. Many studies indicate it is not the #cartilage on the back of the kneecap but the soft tissues around the knee or the bone underneath the cartilage (subchondral bone) that causes the pain.
There are various causes, these can include:
1. Overuse/Repetitive Strain/Over loading
2. Arthritis
3. Trauma/Injury
4. Excessive Weight
5. Malalignement (GENETIC OR ENVIRONMENTAL)
6. Imbalance of structures around the knee cap
To name a few causes.
PEOPLE MOST COMMONLY AFFECTED:
1. Females <30 (to be explained)
2. >50s in combination with #Arthritis
3. Sporty adolescents and young adults
MOST COMMON SYMPTOMS:
1. Pain around the kneecap, usually hard to pinpoint and can feel deep or behind it.
2. Clicking in the knee while flexing and extending it.
3. A feeling of giving way.
4. Catching or locking.
5. Worse after sitting for a long time, known as a positive cinema sign.
6. Worsens after repeated squatting. Especially very low ones past 90 degrees.
7. Worse after increased loading in the knee after the following activities where the knee is flexed and the quads have to contract forcefully): (Loading through the knee is mentioned in number of times of your bodyweight (BW) going through the knee) – Upstairs –> 3x BW
– Downstairs –> 5x BW
– Jumping –> 5x BW
– #Squatting –> 5x BW
– Running
8. Swelling
Stay tuned for a more detailed look at the causes.