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Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a broad term used to describe pain felt at the front of your knee, around or behind your kneecap (patella). It’s often called “runner’s knee,” as it’s more common in people who participate in sports that involve running and jumping.
The pain and stiffness caused by PFPS can make it difficult to climb stairs, kneel, sit for long periods and perform other, everyday activities. Anterior knee pain is very common and usually affects women more than men. It can also affect people in their teenage years as well as those in the 30–40-year age group.
Causes of patellofemoral pain syndrome (runners’ knee)
The two most common causes of this knee pain are overuse (repetitive actions such as lunging, squatting, and going up and down stairs), and patella malalignment (when the kneecap does not lie centrally in the groove on the front of the femur).
Symptoms of patellofemoral pain syndrome (runners’ knee)
A patient with patellofemoral pain syndrome, will commonly experience pain after resting periods, especially while their knee is bent e.g., pain after watching a long movie. Patients may also experience pain accompanied by swelling and/or pain accompanied by a “clicking” or “grinding” sensation. This is due to extreme wear in the cartilage and this sensation can also indicate a more serious tear in the cartilage.
Diagnosing patellofemoral pain syndrome (runners’ knee)
After obtaining a comprehensive medical history and a summary of your regular physical activities, Dr Singh will then perform an extensive physical examination of your knee joint and its range of motion.
Usually, patellofemoral pain syndrome is diagnosed via physical examination, but further diagnostic imaging may be deemed necessary in some cases, to rule out other conditions that may be causing the pain.
Treating patellofemoral pain syndrome (runners’ knee)
Usually, patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome will recover with non-surgical treatment methods such as RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation), NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) for pain relief, or by taping their knee which can help correct their patella from tracking outside of the trochlear groove. Dr Singh may also recommend physiotherapy.
In some rare cases however, where patellofemoral pain syndrome is resistant to non-surgical treatment and the pain or inflammation persists, arthroscopic surgery may be performed to alleviate the condition.
These treatment options can all be discussed in your consultation with Dr Singh as, many conditions can cause knee pain and/or injury so, a correct diagnosis in consultation with Dr Singh is critical in determining the best option for you.
