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Patellofemoral Syndrome Or Chondromalacia |
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Patellofemoral syndrome causes pain in the knee. It is a common problem of young adults, especially female adolescents. It is sometimes called chondromalacia patellae.
The long bone of the thigh is called the femur. The femur has a groove in which the kneecap (the patella) moves. The patella has to be able to move freely up and down when we bend or straighten our knee. If there has been an injury or overuse of the knee, the structures that allow it to move freely can wear down. Over time, the undersurface of the kneecap becomes worn out and inflamed. SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS THAT SHOULD BE EVALUATED BY A DOCTOR INCLUDE: - knee pain that gets worse when kneeling or walking up and down stairs and
- knees ache if sitting in one position too long, like at a movie, or on a plane.
The best treatment is to rest the knee. A brace or tape may be needed to allow the knee to rest. Special exercises may also be taught to strengthen the knee and correct abnormal movement. OTHER HOMECARE MEASURES THAT CAN HELP ARE TO: - avoid activities that require deep knee bends
- take anti-inflammatory medication like aspirin or ibuprofen
- use ice to help with pain and swelling
- strengthen the upper leg muscles (hamstrings and quadriceps) to support the knee and
- wear shoes that support the arch
All knee pain should be evaluated by a healthcare professional. Usually, rest and a treatment program will stop the progression of patellofemoral pain and prevent future injury. Article #7633 Copyright (c) 2002 McKesson. All Rights Reserved. |
