Patello-Femoral Pain Syndrome
Patello-Femoral Pain Syndrome (PTPS) is often associated with any pain in front of the knee and around the patella or kneecap. Anterior knee pain is a concept that is experienced by many patients where the cause can vary from improper alignment to muscle dysfunction, or when the cartilage under the kneecap is damaged due to injury or overuse. This syndrome can be referred to as chondromalacia and runner’s knee. It is frequently seen in teenage athletes, people whose jobs require frequent standing, squatting, climbing ladders or stairs and can include cyclists and hikers. Symptoms are commonly intensified with descending stairs, prolonged driving with a bent knee, squatting and kneeling. Frequently people hear a click and the most common reason people experience this pain is overuse. Contributing factors to the syndrome include weakness, and tightness of the muscles around the hip and knee, an abnormality in the lower leg and hip alignment, and or improper tracking of the knee cap.