Patellofemoral pain is defined as pain around, behind or under the patella (knee cap) that is aggravated by at least one activity that increases the load in your knee joint such as walking, climbing up and downstairs, jumping, or running. Sometimes you may also experience a grinding sensation in your knee or swelling deep in you knee joint. Patellofemoral pain is 2 x more common in females than males, with an incidence of 9.2% in young adolescence. Of those that experience patellofemoral pain, approximately 70% reduced or ceased sport participation due to their symptoms. Causes are usually biomechanical in nature may include:

• Weakness or lack of control of hip/gluteal muscles
• Weakness or lack of control of thigh muscles
• Foot over-pronation (‘flat feet’)

Other factors that may contribute to your knee pain include a sudden increase in load (eg, commencing a new sport), or the bony alignment of your knee itself (i.e. genetics). Treatment often involves a combination of:

• Possible rest from aggravating activities
• Strengthening for gluteal and/or thigh muscles
• Motor control exercises focusing on lower limb mechanics and good movement patterns
• Taping for symptomatic relief (often short term only)
• Bracing
• Use of orthotics (if indicated)

Treatments such as those above have been shown to reduce pain and improve function in the short, medium and long term. Please feel free to contact our practice if you have any questions or want to book an appointment for one of our physiotherapists to complete a thorough assessment of your knee!  

References:

• Crossley KM, van Middelkoop M, Callaghan MJ, et al. Br J Sports Med 2016;50: 844–852.
• Crossley KM, Stefanik JJ, Selfe J, et al. Br J Sports Med 2016;50:839–843.