Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome: Symptoms and Treatments

Patellofemoral syndrome, also known as patellofemoral pain syndrome, is a phrase used to describe discomfort in the front of the knee and around the patella or kneecap. Athletes and others participating in running, basketball, and other sports are frequently affected by the runner's or jumper's knee. Patellofemoral syndrome can impact non-athletes, and it is most common in teenagers, young people, manual laborers, and elderly persons.According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, the patellofemoral syndrome is the most prevalent cause of knee discomfort in the general population. It may be caused by overuse of the knee joint, physical damage, or kneecap misalignment.

What is patellofemoral pain syndrome?

Patellofemoral syndrome (PFPS), often known as runner's knee or jumper's knee, is a kind of knee discomfort. A medical condition produces discomfort beneath or near the kneecap (patella). PFPS can affect one or both knees.The pain usually worsens with movement or after sitting for a long time with the knees bent. Most people can control the symptoms by rest, activity modifications, or physiotherapy. Also, Read #NotSoShy: Depression and Sexuality - How Being Depressed Affected My Sex Life?

What are the symptoms of Patellofemoral pain syndrome?

When a person has the patellofemoral syndrome, any of the following motions might aggravate their knee pain:

• Although athletes are most at risk, non-athletes can also be affected by the patellofemoral syndrome.
• Kneeling.
• Squatting.
• Climbing steps.
• Sitting for a long time.

When the initial symptoms are not addressed, individuals may have slight edema, a sense of grating or grinding while bending or extending the leg, and decreased thigh muscle strength.

• A dull discomfort in the front of the afflicted knee is common in many persons. Among your symptoms may be the following:
• Pain when performing knee-bending exercises such as squatting or climbing stairs
• Pain after sitting for long durations with your knees bent.
• While trying to stand up or climb stairs, you may hear cracking or popping sounds in the knee.
• Pain that worsens as your normal playing surface, sports equipment, or activity intensity varies

Also, Read Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (Runner's Knee)

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome Treatment Options -

Simple home treatments can alleviate pain in many persons suffering from this illness.

1. Home treatments -

Modifications to the everyday routine.Discontinue doing things that bother your knee until your pain is relieved, such as changing your workout regimen or switching to low-impact exercises. Later activities may put less strain on your knee. If your body weight is higher than usual, losing weight might assist in relieving strain on your knee.Rest: Avoid putting weight on the painful knee.Ice: Use a cold pack for 20 minutes at a time, numerous times daily.Compression: To minimize further swelling, cover the knee gently with an elastic bandage, leaving a space in the kneecap area. Make sure the bandage is loose sufficient to not cause discomfort.Elevation: As often as feasible, rest with the knee raised to a level above the heart.

2. Medicines -

Some NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen or naproxen, can help reduce swelling and discomfort. Please see the doctor if your discomfort persists or increases, prohibiting knee mobility. The objective of medical treatment for patellofemoral pain syndrome is to alleviate discomfort and restore the knee's range of motion and strength. The majority of the time, this discomfort can be addressed non-surgically.

3. Physical Therapy -

Specific workouts for developing mobility, strength, and knee joint endurance can help with this problem. It is especially important to focus on strengthening and extending your front knee muscles, as they are the primary stabilizers of your kneecap. Specialists may also suggest core muscle workouts to strengthen the abdomen and lower back muscles.Using OrthoticsOrthotics/shoe inserts can help to correct and stabilize your feet and ankles, relieving stress on the lower leg. These gadgets can be modified or purchased directly.

4. Surgical Treatment -

Surgery is only used to treat patellofemoral pain syndrome in serious situations that do not respond to non-surgical treatments.

5. Arthroscopy -

During this surgery, the surgeon will introduce a tiny camera, known as an arthroscope, inside the knee joint. On a screen, the camera displays photos of the knee joint, which the surgeon employs to direct small surgical tools in the region to be operated on.

6. Debridement -

In some circumstances, removing broken smooth, white tissue surrounding the ends of bones at joints (articular cartilage) from the surface of the kneecap can provide pain relief.

7. Lateral release -

If a damaged muscle is extremely tight and pulling the kneecap toward the trochlear groove, this operation can relax the tissue and correct the kneecap's wrong alignment.

8. Tibial tubercle transfer -

In certain conditions, realigning the kneecap by transferring the patellar tendon and a piece of the bony prominence on the lower leg is required. Also, Read Bipartite Patella (Knee Flexion Deformity)

What are the causes of patellofemoral pain syndrome?

There are various possible reasons for patellofemoral pain syndrome. It has been associated to:Overuse. Running and jumping activities strain the knee joint repetitively, creating inflammation under the kneecap.Muscle imbalances or deficiencies. Patellofemoral discomfort develops whenever the muscles surrounding the hip and knee fail to maintain the kneecap in place. Patellofemoral discomfort has been connected to moving the knee inside during a squat.Injury. Patellofemoral pain syndrome has been related to kneecap trauma, such as when the kneecap slips or cracks.Surgery. Patellofemoral discomfort might be exacerbated after knee surgery. This is especially true when utilizing the patellar tendon as a graft to repair the anterior cruciate ligament.

What are some risk factors in Patellofemoral pain syndrome?

The following factors can raise your risk:Age. Patellofemoral pain syndrome is most common in teenagers and young adults. In elderly adults, arthritis is more commonly to blame for knee difficulties. Sex. Patellofemoral pain affects women twice as much as men. This might be due to women's bigger pelvises. A broader pelvis alters the position where the knee joint bones come together.Specific sports. Running and jumping activities can place additional strain on the knees.

How can you prevent Patellofemoral pain syndrome?

Sometimes knee discomfort is unavoidable. Nonetheless, simple precautions may help avoid the pain.Increase your strength. Strong leg and hip muscles aid in maintaining knee balance during activities. When weight training, avoid deep squats. Move with caution. Talk with a physiotherapist about activities to help you leap, run, and turn correctly. Strengthening the outer hip muscles is extremely crucial. As you squat, land from a jump, or step down from a step, this will help protect your knee from collapsing inward.Get rid of the extra weight. If you are overweight, decreasing weight lowers knee tension.Prepare yourself. Warm up for 5 minutes before jogging or doing other forms of exercise.Stretch. Gentle stretching activities help you become more flexible.Gradually increase. Increase your workouts gradually.

Conclusion -

The most major cause of anterior knee pain nowadays is patellofemoral pain syndrome. While there are numerous treatment options for the condition, it is critical to realize that the knees have been significantly strained since you began walking. Furthermore, with typical use and tear, knee discomfort is unavoidable and will take its toll over time, as the knee's main shock absorbers, cartilage cushions called menisci, begin to degenerate with age. However, some activities, such as frequent stretching and mobility exercises, wearing suitable footwear, and exercising properly, should be prioritized to age-proof your knees.