Runners Knee – What You Need To Know
What is it?
Our
knees are complex hinge joints, designed to provide stability from side to side
and smooth movement forwards and back as you walk, kick and run. The patella,
or kneecap, is a small bone embedded in the tendon of the quadriceps muscle
that protects the knee and also provides extra leverage to the quadriceps,
amplifying their strength. The patella moves up and down in a groove at the
front of the knee as the knee bends and straightens. Usually this movement is
smooth, with little friction, however, if something causes the patella to move
in a dysfunctional way, the soft tissue between the kneecap and the knee can
become irritated, causing pain in a typical pattern. This condition is often
referred to as ‘runner’s knee’, PFJ Syndrome or patellofemoral pain syndrome
(PFPS).
What causes it?
The patella usually sits in a balanced
position in the shallow groove at the front of the knee and moves easily
without friction. The patella is attached to the quadriceps muscle at the top
and connected to the lower leg via the patella tendon at the bottom. When the
quadriceps contracts, this pulls on the patella and acts to straighten the
knee. If one side of the quadriceps is stronger or tighter than the other, it
can cause the kneecap to pull to one side and over time become irritated.
There can be many factors that cause a
muscle imbalance or weakness on one side of the quadriceps. In most people, the
outer aspect of the quadriceps tends to be stronger and tighter than the inner muscle.
Certain postures and leg positions require
the outer muscles to work harder and the inside muscles to become less active.
Lack of arch support in your feet or simply a physical abnormality of the knee
can also place stress on the movement of the patella.
What are the symptoms?
This condition is characterized by pain
felt on the inside or behind of the patella with activities that require
repetitive bending of the knee. There may be a sensation of crepitus, clicking
or grinding and some people report that their knee suddenly gives way. The pain
is commonly felt when running, going up and down stairs or when doing squats
and is relieved with rest. The pain may start as a small niggle and gradually
become worse over time.
How can physiotherapy help?
The first step in effective treatment is
to exclude any other conditions and have a physiotherapist confirm the
diagnosis. Your physiotherapist is able to determine which factors are
contributing to this condition, which could include poor posture, a lack of
arch support in your feet or poor running technique.
Once these factors have been
identified, you will be provided with a specific treatment program to best
approach your condition. PFP syndrome usually responds quite well to
biomechanical analysis and correction of any muscular weakness and imbalance.
Having the correct shoes and orthotics can also make a huge difference. There
are some short-term treatments, such as patella taping, try needling, trigger
point therapy and ultrasound, which may help alleviate symptoms quickly and
keep you active while you address the other factors contributing to your pain.
Always see a medical professional for
advice on your individual injury.
If you need any further information about knee pain then please click
here
, or call us on 028 92666959, or email info@gavnoble.com
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