Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

http://www.kinetic-revolution.com/movement-dysfunctions-behind-patellofemoral-pain-in-runners/
http://ardentpt.com/2013/06/12/patello-femoral-pain-syndrome/
http://www.completesportscare.com.au/patellofemoral-pain-treatment/patellofemoral-pain-blog/
http://www.kinetic-revolution.com/running-gait-re-education-in-the-evidence-based-rehab-of-patellofemoral-pain/

Is hip strength a risk factor for patellofemoral pain? – By Dr Christian Barton

http://thesportsphysio.wordpress.com/2012/09/23/runners-knee-pain-a-guest-article-by-tom-goom/
http://www.running-physio.com/pfps-glutes/

Gait re-training for ‘Runner’s Knee’

http://www.running-physio.com/ray-ed/

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

Refers to a continuum of damage to the cartilage undersurface of the patella – changes vary from mild irritation to macroscopic damage – the later used to be referred to as chondromalacia patellae.

Predisposing factors:
abnormal biomechanics – excessive foot pronation; increased Q angle; ‘squinting patellae’ (from anteversion of femoral neck) – the ‘miserable malignment syndrome’. McClay & Manal (1998) found that the knee of those that foot was pronated had a greater amount of knee flexion  could increase patella compressive forces.
abnormal tracking and/or anatomy of patella
muscle weakness – vastus medialis (especially imbalance between medial and lateral quadriceps)
activity – distance running; hill running

Clinical features:
Usually a diffuse and vague ache of insidious onset localised to the anterior knee – increases with prolonged sitting or activity – pain may be medial, lateral or infrapatellar – may be aggravated by hills.
May be able to reproduce pain with a squat or climbing stairs
Swelling – either none or slight. Occasionally get crepitus.
May have vastus medialis weakness.

Differential diagnosis – patellar tendonitis, meniscal lesions, plica syndrome, osteoarthritis, fat pad inflammation, Sinding-Larsen-Johansson syndrome.

Treatment:
Activity modification; reduction of pain and inflammation; strapping to correct patellar position (McConnell strapping); strengthening of vastus medialis; correction of foot biomechanics
Surgery – lateral retinacular release

Role of Foot Orthoses:

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