Patellofemoral syndrome is a common source of knee pain. In fact, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians, patellofemoral syndrome is the most common cause of knee pain. It’s usually known as runner’s knee or jumper’s knee. This is because it’s often seen in athletes, but it can happen to anyone. The telltale sign of this condition is a dull, aching pain in the front of the knee along with mild swelling. Sensations of grinding also happen when extending or bending the leg. Below, we outline potential causes and treatment options for patellofemoral syndrome.
The three main causes include overuse of the knee, muscle imbalance, and trauma. Overuse of the knee ranks as the most common of the three, which explains the association with athletes.
Treatment options range from using the RICE protocol (rest, ice, compression, elevation), to physical therapy. Therapy methods include certain exercises/stretches, massages, patella taping, and the use of braces. Oftentimes, activity modification is necessary after an injury to reduce the risk of repeating the injury.
If there is knee pain, check with a physical therapist for evaluation and to help set up a treatment plan.
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