What is Patellofemoral Pain and How Can Physical Therapy Help?

Patellofemoral pain is a common impairment and diagnoses in the population today with more of an emphasis in the active adults age 40 to 50¹. Patellofemoral pain is considered as a general anterior knee pain that is exacerbated by various activities that involve loading of the patellofemoral joint^1,2.

In the literature today, there are a few different viewpoints on what defines patellofemoral pain however there seems to be some common overlap. Typically, there is crepitus or a grinding sensation of the joint, palpation is tender on the patellar facet, there is a small amount of effusion present, and there is generally pain on sitting or rising from sitting¹.

There were two studies that looked at the relevance of hip musculature, knee strength, and core strength with patients that had patellofemoral pain. The results revealed that the group that focused on hip and core stability had a considerable decrease in pain, an increase in activity levels, and an increase in balance as compared to the group that just had a general exercise routine^2,3. Both studies suggest how important proper hip and core stability is to the management of patellofemoral pain. Physical therapy can help with stability of the hip and core. If you feel like you are experiencing patellofemoral pain, contact that team at ProActive Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine.

References:

1. Crossley K, Culvenor A, Barton C. PATELLOFEMORAL PAIN EVIDENCE-BASED UPDATES IN REHABILITATION OF PATELLOFEMORAL JOINT DYSFUNCTION. Sport Health [serial online]. December 2017;35(3):32-37. Available from: SPORTDiscus with Full Text, Ipswich, MA. Accessed June 17, 2018.
2. NASCIMENTO L, TEIXEIRA-SALMELA L, SOUZA R, RESENDE R. Hip and Knee Strengthening Is More Effective Than Knee Strengthening Alone for Reducing Pain and Improving Activity in Individuals With Patellofemoral Pain: A Systematic Review With Meta-analysis. Journal Of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy [serial online]. January 2018;48(1):19-31. Available from: SPORTDiscus with Full Text, Ipswich, MA. Accessed June 17, 2018.
3. Carry P, Gala R, Carollo J, et al. POSTURAL STABILITY AND KINETIC CHANGE IN SUBJECTS WITH PATELLOFEMORAL PAIN AFTER A NINE-WEEK HIP AND CORE STRENGTHENING INTERVENTION. International Journal Of Sports Physical Therapy [serial online]. June 2017;12(3):314-323. Available from: SPORTDiscus with Full Text, Ipswich, MA. Accessed June 17, 2018.