PATELLOFEMORAL PAIN SYNDROME

Patellofemoral pain syndrome, characterised by anterior knee pain, is a common knee injury, accounting for around 25% of knee pain. Women suffer from patellofemoral pain syndrome twice as often as men, but men and women athletes have the same rate of suffering this syndrome.

In recent studies, it has been shown that patella mal-tracking will cause cartilage underneath the knee repetitively and chronic compressed. When the knee is bent repeatedly, the greater the degree of flexion, the greater the patellofemoral pressure. The pressure on the patellofemoral joint of walking on flat roads is 0.5 times the weight, and it increases to 3 to 4 times the weight when going up the stairs, and 7 to 8 times the pressure when squatting. High muscle tension or congenital abnormalities in the lower extremities will further increase patellofemoral pressure and cause pain. Common physiological structural problems, including knee valgus, flat feet, excessively tight soft tissue on the outside of the knee, and imbalance of the knee muscles, can easily lead to patella mal-tracking.

Long-distance running, track and field, gymnastics and dance and other sports, because the legs have been impacted repetitively, so the chance of suffering from this disease is higher.

• Diffuse pain in the base of the patella and its joint
• Pain in large degree of knee flexion and repeated flexion and extension
• Tenderness of the medial patella
• Knee joint swelling and redness
• The affected area may sometimes produce sounds in movement or weakness of legs
• Pain can be aggravated when downstairs and downslope
• Immediate standing after prolonged sitting can cause discomfort
• In severe cases, it can cause quadriceps atrophy and joint overuse, degeneration and deformation.

Patients can achieve anti-inflammatory and reduce pain through rest, ice and electrophysical therapy. Passive knee mobilization techniques can also be used to improve the patella mal-tracking. Appropriate and adequate stretching exercises for warm-up and post-exercise adjustments can also increase the flexibility of the taut tissue, and non-stretchable tape can also be used to improve the position of the patella. Patients should do more quadriceps, vastus medialis, gluteus medius and maximus and adductor muscle strengthening to relieve the pressure of the knee cartilage. The use of insoles that match the shape of the feet can correct the abnormal mechanical structure and improve the pain. If the pain persists, the patient should use swimming, running or cycling under the water instead of the original training. In addition, patients should also reduce the excessive load on the knee joint, such as squatting, sprinting, running downhills and stairs walking.

Focus on muscle strengthening, stretching and adequate rest. Pay attention to whether the exercise posture is correct and reduce unnecessary overloaded exercise of the knee joint.

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