“Also known as runners knee.

Symptoms include an aching pain in the knee joint, particularly at the front of the knee around and under the patella. There is often tenderness along the inside border of the kneecap and swelling will sometimes occur after exercise. Patellofemoral pain is often worse when walking up and down hills or sitting for long periods of time.

PFPS occurs when the patella (kneecap) rubs on the femur bone underneath. It is often thought that incorrect tracking or rubbing of the patella over the femur bone is a significant factor and results in damage or irritation of the articular cartilage underneath the patella.

Patellofemoral pain is common in people who do a lot of sport and in particular adolescent girls. It can have a number of causes but damage to the cartilage itself cannot directly cause pain because there are no blood vessels or nerves involved. However it can lead onto other problems which in turn result in pain.

The initial cause of patellofemoral pain syndrome is likely to be overuse.

Patella pain treatment and rehabilitation is based around reducing symptoms, identifying the causes and strengthening or re-training muscles which may have contributed to the injury.

Physiotherapy can help loosen tight structures and muscles to aid with improved patellar tracking. And to address poor biomechanics through rehabilitation.

http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/sport-injuries/knee-pain/patellofemoral-pain-syndrome

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