Overview
What is patellofemoral pain syndrome?
Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFP syndrome) is pain in and around the kneecap (patella). PFP syndrome is also called “runner’s knee.”
Rest and exercises that stretch and strengthen the hips and legs can help improve PFP syndrome.
Signs and symptoms
What are the signs and symptoms of PFP syndrome?
Patellofemoral pain syndrome causes pain below and around the knee. The pain is often worse when walking, kneeling, squatting, going up or down stairs, or running. It may also hurt after sitting with your knee bent for a long time, such as on a long car ride or in a movie theater.
Some people with PFP syndrome feel a “clicking” or creaking sound after getting up from a sitting position or when going up or down stairs.
When should I call the doctor?
If your child has knee pain that doesn’t go away within a few days, call the doctor to examine him or her to see what is causing the pain. Delaying it could make injuries worse.
Causes and prevention
What causes PFP syndrome?
Patellofemoral pain syndrome is a overuse disorder. They occur when someone does the same movements that strain the knee over and over again.
In PFP syndrome, repeatedly bending and straightening the knee puts stress on the kneecap. It is more common in athletes.
Some people with PFP syndrome have the kneecap misaligned with the thigh bone (femur). The kneecap may become misaligned or shift as it moves along the thighbone due to muscle weakness, trauma, or another problem. If this happens, the kneecap does not slide smoothly on the thighbone when the knee bends and straightens. The kneecap is injured and this causes the pain of PFP syndrome.
Who gets PFP syndrome?
Patellofemoral pain syndrome usually occurs in people who practice sports that involve a lot of bending and straightening of the knees, such as running, biking, and skiing
PFP syndrome is more common in women and occurs more frequently in adolescents and young adults.
Tight or weak leg muscles, or flat feet, can increase someone’s chance of having PFP syndrome.
How is PFP syndrome diagnosed?
Your doctor can make a diagnosis
To diagnose patellofemoral pain syndrome, healthcare providers:
- ask about physical activities
- take a test
Testing is usually not needed. Sometimes your healthcare provider orders an x-ray or other imaging study to look for other knee problems.
Treatment and care
How is PFP syndrome treated?
A child or adolescent with patellofemoral pain syndrome needs limit or completely avoid activities that cause pain. Sometimes all it takes is a change in training. For example, someone who normally runs hills for training might try running on a soft, flat surface.
Someone who has severe pain or pain that interferes with activity (for example, causing lameness) needs to rest the knee until the pain improves. For pain:
- Put ice or a cold compress on the knee. every 1 to 2 hours for 15 minutes at a time. Place a thin towel between the ice and your child’s skin to protect them from the cold.
- If your healthcare provider says it’s OK, he or she may give you ibuprofen. (Advil, Motrin, or a store brand) or naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, or a store brand). Follow the instructions that come with the medication about how much to give and how often. Do not give this medicine for more than 2 to 3 weeks.
Physiotherapy
An important part of treatment for PFP syndrome is improving the strength and flexibility of the legs, hips, and core muscles. Health care providers generally recommend seeing a physical therapist for an evaluation. exercise plan That will help. The plan may include stretches, squats, planks, lunges, and other exercises that improve leg and hip strength and flexibility.
The healthcare provider may also recommend:
- a knee pad
- knee bandage
- special shoe insoles
It doesn’t happen very often, but sometimes surgery is necessary for PFP syndrome.
When can my child play sports again?
Most people with PFP syndrome need to reduce or stop playing sports for some time. Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions. about when it is safe for your child to return to sports. This usually occurs when:
- Hip, leg and core strength is near normal.
- Flexibility has improved, especially in the hamstring muscle.
- There is no pain with daily activities, such as walking and going up or down stairs.
- Any pain with activity is very mild and disappears within a few minutes of starting the activity.
What else should I know?
The symptoms of PFP syndrome may take months or years to improve. Following an exercise plan prescribed by your doctor or physical therapist can help your knee heal. To reduce stress on the knees after healing, young athletes should:
- Warm up and stretch before running or other sports.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Wear supportive running shoes and replace them frequently.
- Run on soft, flat surfaces (such as grass, dirt, or a synthetic track with a softer surface).
- Increase the intensity of your workouts slowly.
- Use shoe inserts or a knee brace if your doctor recommends it.
