DESCRIPTION
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
- Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS) is the most common cause of anterior knee pain. Many factors contribute to PFPS, which leads to softening, thinning and fibrillation of the retropatellar articular cartilage.
- The mechanism of injury is commonly a combination of patellar maltracking and the repetitive stress of aggravating activities such as jumping, running, cycling, etc, or training overuse.
- As this is a condition with many contributing factors, evidence is showing that hip dysfunction may be considered a main contributing factor as the ability to control the femur underneath the patella can result in maltracking issues.
- Local factors including quadriceps muscle imbalances are also said to be a main contributing factor, as well as poor foot mechanics.
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
- Anterior knee pain
- “Circle sign” – patient circles kneecap with fingers
- Knee stiffness associated with prolonged knee flexion in sitting (moviegoer’s sign), and driving or watching a movie
- Activity-related knee pain: running, squatting, stair-climbing, especially on descent, kneeling, cycling, swimming breaststroke (pain related to whip kick)
- Retropatellar tenderness on compression of kneecap
- Crepitation or “grating” sensation
- Giving-way
DIAGNOSTIC TESTS
|
|
PT IMPLICATIONS
(click here to see references)
- Rest, ice and patient education to decrease pain
- Therapeutic Exercise:
- Open and closed kinetic chain exercises to increase quadriceps strength
- Recruitment of VMO to improve knee extensor function
- Hip abductor and external rotator strengthening
- Manual therapy:
- Soft tissue mobilization for IT band, rectus femoris, quadriceps, hamstrings, gastrocnemius
- Patellar taping and bracing
- Footwear education
(click here to see references)