Runner's Knee
Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS), also known as “Runner’s Knee,” is the most common cause of knee pain. PFPS affects 25% of adults and 10% of young athletes. This pain is often the result of overuse of the knee in sports that require jumping or running.
About Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS), also known as “Runner’s Knee,” is the most common cause of knee pain. PFPS affects 25% of adults and 10% of young athletes. PFPS describes a painful irritation of the cartilage behind your kneecap. Although anyone may be affected by PFPS, it is often the result of overuse of the knee in sports that require jumping or running.
The most common cause of PFPS is an imbalance between the muscles that help guide the kneecap in its grove. Proper kneecap tracking depends on the static and dynamic stabilizers of the hip and ankle acting in concert. Repeated flexion and extension of a misaligned kneecap leads to pain, swelling, and eventually degeneration and arthritis.
Misalignment of the kneecap is often due to the hip, ankle, or foot’s underlying issues, especially weakness in your glutes. PFPS produces dull pain behind the kneecap that is aggravated by prolonged walking, running, squatting, jumping, or stair climbing. The pain is often worse when walking downhill or down a set of stairs. If misalignment continues, damage can occur to the cartilage, causing popping and grinding.
Current research suggests patellar movement and tracking are more dependent on global lower body biomechanics than any individual knee muscle strength. As a result, it is very important to look at the body as a whole unit.
Our Approach to Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
Our St. Goerge chiropractors take you through a detailed exam of the ankle, knee, and hip to find the true source of your knee pain. Lifestyle modification may be necessary at first to reduce pain-provoking activities, especially running, jumping, and activities that induce stress at the kneecap.
Next, we help retrain faulty movement patterns through a unique strengthening program and muscle release techniques. Combining muscle release therapy with strengthening through our chiropractic care reduces pain and improves function. Since glute weakness is a critical factor in PFPS development, our strengthening exercises target those muscles and prove very effective.
If you are dealing with running pain in St. George, don’t let it stop you from running or performing at your best another day.
Your Visit With US
We start every visit with a comprehensive movement based assessment to identify any critical contributors to your pain. We then combine muscle release techniques with chiropractic adjustments to help relax your tight muscles and allow your body to move better and feel better. Then, most patients are brought to our rehab area, where we teach you how to extend your session’s benefits at home through stretches and exercises based on your needs and goals.
Visit Crux Sport & Spine today!