Patellofemoral Syndrome (Runners Knee)

How many of you wake up with sore grinding knees each morning? Have trouble getting up from a squatted position? Fear walking down hills and stairs because of the pain? Unable to drive for more than 20 minutes without stopping to straighten your knee?

You may be suffering from Runner’s Knee. This painful condition affects people of all ages and is one of the most disabling knee conditions around. It affects runners, walkers and sedentary persons.

Symptoms

• Dull ache around the front of the knee (difficult to pinpoint)
  
• Knees that crack when standing up
  
• Pain with walking up and down stairs/hills
  
• Swelling
  
• Pain that worsens with running
  
• Constant need to straighten knee when seated

Treatment

Your Sports Physician and Physiotherapists will prescribe treatment for the acute phase of the condition to help relieve pain and will (most importantly) look for the reasons that this occurred to stop it happening again.

• Rest
  
• Ice
  
• Anti-inflammatories
  
• Strengthening VMO muscles
  
• Correct pronating feet with tape or Orthotics
  
• Help with flexibility of tight muscles
  
• Work with your coach or personal trainer to improve your technique and correct your training errors
  
• Correct any biomechanical causes
  
• Advise on appropriate footwear

You may need Xrays and or an MRI scan to look at the architecture of your knee cap and the quality of your cartilage.

The earlier you seek treatment for this the quicker it can be cured. We aim to get you back running and pain free sooner.