Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
Many people think that knee pain is a sign of aging or ‘getting old’, but it’s actually quite common in adolescents and adults younger than 60 years old. In fact, patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is one of the most common causes of frontal knee pain in these age groups. Another name for PFPS is runner’s knee, as it is common in runners.
PFPS is illustrated here by the red colouration radiating around the patella, depicting the irritation experienced.
What’s happening in the knee with PFPS?
The kneecap, or patella, sits in a groove in the femur. When we straighten out the knee, the kneecap provides leverage so our muscles don’t need to work as hard.
If the kneecap is no longer sitting comfortably in this groove, it can lead to pain around the kneecap, or patellar maltracking. Maltracking of the patella happens even further in weight-bearing positions, such as squatting. Overuse or a sudden spike in physical activity levels are a common cause of PFPS, as this leads to muscular imbalances around the knee, which results in the patella sitting poorly in the groove.
I have pain around the front of my knee, is it PFPS?
With PFPS, pain often gradually presents around or behind the patella. This pain usually happens during activities that load the patella while bearing weight on a bent knee. PFPS pain patterns includes pain only during the activity, pain only after the activity (especially later in the same day or into the following day), or pain that improves with exercise.
Common symptoms of PFPS include:
- Pain that worsens when the knee is bent and weight-bearing
- Pain and stiffness in the knee that worsens with prolonged sitting
- Pain with squatting, running, climbing stairs, and/or jumping
- Pain in a kneeling or crouched position
Risk factors for PFPS
Some factors which contribute to PFPS cannot be changed such as being female, having flat feet, or having a history of knee sprains. However, there are risk factors that are able to be modified to reduce the chances of developing PFPS. These include weak quadriceps and hip muscles, tight hamstrings and calves, dynamic valgus (commonly known as ‘knock knees’), and a sudden increase in activities such as running, squatting, and ascending/descending stairs.
If you are experiencing pain in your knee, a physiotherapist can help you find out if it’s PFPS, and create the right treatment plan for managing or eliminating your knee pain. Book your assessment today!
Blog Author
This blog was written by our Physiotherapy Student, Christine!
She is completing her Master of Physiotherapy degree at the University of Western Ontario, and just completed her placement at Break Free the Summer of 2022. She is from Markham, Ontario, received her Honours Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology at McMaster University, and is about to enter her final year at Western in Fall 2022.
