Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

My Knee hurts, what is it? Knee pain is a constant problem within society. It can stem in many different ways and special tests are used to identify an accurate diagnosis. One of the most common chronic knee problems is Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS). The patella (or knee cap) sits in a trough on top of the knee. It is connected by the quads tendon (on top) and the patella tendon (on bottom). If you’re having pain when bending or going down stairs, often this is associated with the tracking of your patella within the trochlear (trough). It may be that your trochlear is shallow or that your lower limb alignment is poor, either way there is something we can do about it.  

Reinforcing the joint by improving muscle strength and activation goes an incredibly long way in supporting the patellofemoral joint. Everytime you jump, run or land your knee bends. Ensuring that there is a sufficient amount of support around these joints ensures that they are able to cope with the force put on them. Strengthening these muscles takes time and  is easy, however correctly activating them is what is difficult.