Knee Pain Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome Sports chiropractic Care Centre

Knee pain is very common within the general population- from the young, elderly and athletes. Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS) is one of the most common causes of knee pain. It is most commonly seen in athletes that involve activities- running, jumping, squatting. Your patellofemoral joint is located between the knee cap (patella) and thigh bone (femur).  When pain is felt at this joint it is referred as PFPS. The main cause of the pain is excessive pressure to the joint due to maltracking of the kneecap.

So what can actually cause this “maltracking”? 

• Muscle imbalance: The Quadriceps muscles located at the front of the thigh insert into the patella. There are 4 individual muscles that make up the quadriceps. The inner most is the VMO and the outer being the Vastus Lateralis. When the VMO is weaker or not activated properly, the patella will be controlled more by the Vastus Lateralis, pulling the knee cap toward the outer side instead of equally, in the middle. A weak VMO can be attributed to injury, post-surgery or disuse. Over time if the muscles on the side/ outer area of the thigh are stronger it will cause the knee cap to track in favour of that side.
  
  In children/ adolescence, when the thigh bone grows faster than the other connective tissues (muscles, tendons, ligaments), this tends to result in an increase in stress to the joints.
• Poor biomechanical control: The knee joint being between and connecting the foot and hip area, may alter its normal biomechanics to compensate for the abnormality in the foot or hip. For example a foot condition or simply a postural issue- i.e. flat feet.
• Repeated trauma can cause joint irritation leading to degeneration

Presentation and symptoms of Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome:

• Pain under or around kneecap
• Increased knee pain with activity- climbing stairs, running, jumping
• Increased knee pain with prolonged periods of sitting . i.e. sitting in movies for long
• Increased knee pain with higher intensity exercise, or usual surface
• Cracking noises in the knee when bending knees

Knee pain is commonly seen and treated by our experienced sports chiropractors at Lakeside Chiropractic in Perth. The majority of cases are a result of PFPS. Our sports chiropractors use a range of treatment modalities best suited to you and your individual needs. Treatment includes advice- don’t participate in aggravating activities, substitute for non-impact sports such as swimming. Provide a therapeutic exercise programme that will target weak or poorly activated and stretch tight muscles. Any abnormalities in other areas such as the foot and hip causing the PFPS, will be addressed.

In conjunction with Knee manual manipulation and adjustment, chiropractors at Lakeside Chiropractic in Joondalup can use various other methods;

• Manual Therapy- Massage or trigger point therapy
• Stretching exercises specific to joint affected
• Therapeutic taping
• Ultrasound to decrease inflammation
• Electrical stimulation, IFC
• Nutritional advice

If you are experiencing any knee pain please come in and see us at Lakeside Chiropractic or call us on 9300 0095 to make an appointment. You can also book online at www.lakesidechiro.com.au

Lakeside Chiropractic in Joondalup has experienced sports chiropractors that not only treat spinal conditions but knees too! We accept all major health insurances and also provide HICAPS with these Private Health care providers BUPA, Medibank, NIB, GMF, SGIO, ADFFH. If yours isn’t listed please ask.

We service the surrounding suburbs - Currambine, Ocean Reef, Tapping, Carramar, Banksia Grove, Iluka, Edgewater, Woodvale, Whitfords, Duncraig. Please come and see our friendly and experienced chiropractors to help with your symptoms.