When you have been an active runner or athlete over the years, you might have surely felt all sorts of pain within your hamstrings, quads, calves and feet. Numerous times it truly is only the soreness or tightness that comes with running several miles on a daily basis, a mild discomfort which you can still perform through.

Nevertheless, if you begin to really feel consistent pain around your kneecap, you might be experiencing something just a little more severe than just the typical soreness that could come from running. You might be feeling symptoms of Patellofemoral pain syndrome, or PFPS, a common knee disorder which usually affects senior athletes or people who frequently take part in running and jumping sports.

Patellofemoral discomfort also referred to as retropatellar pain, peripatellar discomfort and anterior knee discomfort. A lot more frequently, it is called runner’s knee.

What is PFPS?

When your knee bends and straightens, as it does whenever you run, your kneecap – the patella – slides along a slot on your femur. This slot is known as the trochlear groove. If your knee is performing correctly, the patella will move in several directions within the trochlear groove, offering you with the ability to jump, move side to side, rotate and perform a full range of motions with out friction.

Nevertheless, PFPS occurs when the surfaces of your patella and femur repeatedly rub and stress the tissues along the patellofemoral joint. This leads to pain, weakening of the joint, and sometimes a bone bruise. In some instances, PFPS might also be caused by the weakening of the articular cartilage or swelling within the joint.

What Triggers PFPS?

There’s no universal cause for PFPS. It may well depend on genetic factors or the amount of tension on your knee over time. Below are some of the primary aspects that may result in PFPS.

Overuse. Regular bending and straightening gradually will trigger PFPS, specifically among runners or older athletes who still remain active. If the knee is continually bent, it increases the pressure points between your kneecap along with the femur, irritating the patella.

Alignment. The angle between your hip and your knee, the Q angle, might be a factor in PFPS. Research has shown that those having a larger than normal Q angle are more vulnerable to PFPS due to the fact that your patella then tracks a lot more to the outside. As female athletes mature and their pelvis widens, so does the Q angle, increasing the danger of developing PFPS.

Muscular Weakness or Tightness. An imbalance in the strength of your quadriceps will affect the tracking of the patella, as will tight muscles and tendons. Flexibility is crucial inside the movement of the knee and hip.

Flat feet. If your feet have little to no arch, you might be much more likely to have PFPS. Your tibia compensates for your feet whenever you run, placing atypical pressure on the patellofemoral joint.

There are operative and non-operative treatments for PFPS, although both could need a long-term adjustment of your physical activity. Your orthopedist will guide you by means of treatment and recovery so you are able to still enjoy the things you love.

When you are in search of a complete service orthopedic practice, then Atlanta Orthopedic Surgeons is perfect for your wants. They are skilled in orthopedic surgery and sports medicine. With many years of education, research, and expertise, you can ensure that all of your Atlanta orthopedic wants are covered, from cartilage restoration to spine care and sports medicine.