Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome in San Diego
Patellofemoral pain syndrome can be defined as a Retro-patellar (behind the kneecap) or Peripatellar (around the kneecap) pain, resulting from physical and biomechanical changes on the patellofemoral joint. Patellofemoral pain syndrome can cause high-level athletes to miss out on their sporting activities because healthcare professionals do not know exactly how to treat the pain.
Patellofemoral pain syndrome can be relieved by avoiding activities that make symptoms worse, such as sitting or kneeling in the bent-knee position for long periods of time and bent-knee exercises, such as squats, deep knee bends, or 90-degree leg extensions. Those with patellofemoral pain syndrome will generally see improvement of pain following a period of rest, conservative treatments, and avoidance of activities that exacerbate pain.
What is Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome?
Patellofemoral pain is a common complaint and is one of the most prevalent knee disorders. Essentially it means at athlete has pain around and under the patella, or knee cap. Almost anyone can get it, but it particularly affects runners, cyclists and hikers as well as office workers that end up sitting for long periods of time.
Another name for this condition is movie-goers knee because of the tendency of the condition to cause pain after sitting for a long period of time.
Symptoms may include:
- Aching around the patella
- Pain worsens with stairs – up or down, walking, running, jumping and squatting
- Pain worsens with long periods of sitting
- Clicks, pops, grinding or swelling (though some clicking and grinding under the patella is normal) See more here.
The main sign that you have patellofemoral pain syndrome is that you experience pain whenever you are sitting with your knees bent, are squatting, using the stairs, or jumping.
Dull ache in your knee? It might be patellofemoral pain syndrome
Many athletes experience a dull aching around their knee that often worsens with squats, stairs, lunges or sitting for a long period of time.
Often, athletes ignore the pain and, in most cases, the ache goes away with rest. However, the pain can become chronic. The term for this dull ache in the knee might be what is commonly referred to as patellofemoral pain syndrome.According to Dr. Jack Farr, OrthoIndy knee surgeon, the term patellofemoral syndrome, is actually incorrect as it is not actually a syndrome and it should just be referred to as patellofemoral pain.
“With patellofemoral pain, patients typically experience pain behind or around the kneecap. Additionally, there is an increase in pressure on the knee cap while sitting with the knee flexed and many patients will report pain while sitting during a long movie or in the back seat of a car on a long drive,” said Dr. Farr. “They may also hear crunching, grinding, grafting, crackling or popping in the area of the knee cap when they put their knee through range of motion.” Read more here.
The key to resolving patellofemoral pain syndrome is identifying and correcting the causes of the pain. The first step to successfully treating patellofemoral pain syndrome is therefore to test all the risk factors that have been associated with the injury so that you can identify what caused it in your own individual case.
Avoiding Bumps in the Road While Training for a Road Race
How can I make it better?
Tone it down! Your body needs a balance of training, rest, and proper nutrition to get ready for race day. If you feel persistent shin pain while running, stop and stretch. Cross-training workouts, like swimming, biking, or elliptical workouts, can take the impact off of your shins, while still providing you with a solid workout. You also should add stretching to your daily routine, making sure your calves and Achilles tendons aren’t tight. If pain persists, consult a doctor immediately to rule out something more serious, like a stress fracture.
Training for a road race should be challenging and fun. The most successful training plans are those that strike a balance between rest and training. If you feel persistent pain, you should consult a medical professional to diagnose the source of your pain and get you back on track. It is a long road to race day – be smart with your training, listen to your body, and have fun! See more.
Chiropractic for Runner’s Knee
Runner’s knee, or PFPS, respond very well to chiropractic treatment. The chiropractor is able to do a complete exam and find the cause of the problem, then tailor the treatment accordingly. This is typically done on a case by case basis with treatment that is based on the individual’s unique needs. Chiropractic care is a very effective treatment for patellofemoral pain syndrome and the associated knee pain. It works to correct the problem by bringing the body back into proper alignment, allowing it to function as it should.
If you or a loved one are suffering from knee pain, give us a call. Our Doctor of Chiropractic will do a thorough exam to determine the proper treatment protocol for your condition. You don’t have to live with pain. Again, give us a call (619) 831-8777. We’re here to help!
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