KNEE PAIN
Runner's knee is a term used to refer to a number of medical conditions that cause pain around the front of the knee (patellofemoral pain). These conditions include anterior knee pain syndrome, patellofemoral malalignment, and Chondromalacia Patella.
Symptoms are characterized by a dull, aching pain under or around the front of the kneecap, pain walking up or down stairs, running up or down hills, kneeling, squatting, and sitting with a bent knee for a long period of time (movie-goers sign).
The patella slides within the patella groove of the femur as the knee bends and straightens. If the quadriceps musculature is weak, tight or imbalanced, the resulting muscle forces can result in a lateral shift of the patella causing pressure, friction, and irritation to the cartilage on the undersurface of the kneecap when the knee is in motion.
Overuse/overload of the quadriceps, especially running hills or walking up and down stairs can cause this condition to exacerbate. In females, increased pelvic width and the resulting inward slant of the thigh towards the knee can contribute to a higher risk of developing a patellofemoral pain syndrome.
Over pronation causing an excessive internal rotation of the lower leg and knee and can exaggerate the lateral pull of the quadriceps leading to increased friction and also instability of the patella.
Results Physiotherapy therapists are trained to assess the multiple factors which can contribute to this condition and prolong recovery.
Muscle lengths, imbalances, and underlying biomechanics are addressed as well as the restoration of flexibility of lateral structures via mobilization of the patella and taping techniques to correct alignment under load.
The essential ingredient to full recovery however, is a progressive quadriceps reeducation program focusing on medial quadriceps reeducation via an EMG biofeedback and progressing to load bearing conditions with correct recruitment patterns and strengthening.
