Sports Medicine Moment: Common Knee Injuries – Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS)

Sports Medicine Moment: Common Knee Injuries – Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS)

Written by: Tristen Robinson

Tristen Robinson, M.S., ATC, LAT is a BUZZ Gear Up Blogger and an instructor at Andrew Jackson High School, for the sports medicine magnet program. Checkout the program’s Facebook page at Andrew Jackson High School Sports Medicine. https://www.Facebook.com/Jacksonsportsmed/

 

Finishing up this month, and common knee injuries, we will talk about an injury that has become more prevalent in the past years: patellofemoral pain syndrome or PFPS. When you first read that word you may think, “what the heck is that and how do I pronounce it?” If you look at the word, you may recognize two familiar words…patello as in patella or knee cap, and femoral as in femur (thigh bone). The patella and parts of the femur, tibia, fibula comprise of the knee joint. Patella function is essential in knee mechanics as it acts as a lever for muscles, ligaments, and tendons that move and provide stability for the knee. Know that we know basic boney anatomy of the knee, let’s learn about PFPS.

As mentioned previously, patella movement plays a major role in knee function. Sometimes, for various reasons, the function of the patella is compromised. This could be due to muscle imbalance, ligament or tendon integrity, foot anatomy, injury, training mechanics, and the list can go on and on. PFPS doesn’t typically happen acutely by some traumatic experience; it usually occurs gradually. Someone with PFPS most often complains of general pain in the front of the knee. They will complain of pain in the knee during physical activity that may be exacerbated during long periods of activity. Swelling may also be present as well as changes in walking gait due to pain.

PFPS is generally diagnosed after other diagnoses are ruled out. However, based on the athlete/patient’s description of the signs and symptoms, PFPS can be diagnosed immediately. Treatment is typically therapeutic rehabilitation for several weeks. Finding the cause of PFPS however, is what’s most important. The appropriate healthcare professional would be almost like a detective in trying to figure out what is causing the pain. Are there foot problems, training problems, anatomy problems…etc? Once the cause is determined, successful treatment or management can take place.

All in all, out of every injury we have discussed this month, PFPS is the least severe. That does not mean it is not the most irritating. Healing and recovery time from this injury takes time and patience, which is difficult for some people in this fast-paced world we live in. However, hopefully this article can erase the mystery of this unpopular but common injury, and provide a small bit of comfort.

For more information, please visit:

http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/sport-injuries/knee-pain/patellofemoral-pain-syndrome

http://www.aafp.org/afp/2007/0115/p194.html

https://runnersconnect.net/runners-knee-symptoms-causes-and-research-backed-treatment-solutions-for-patellofemoral-pain-syndrome/

 

 

This has been your sports medicine moment…