What is Patellofemoral Arthritis Pain Syndrome?
Considering it’s among the very most typical kinds of knee pain, patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a comparatively poorly defined condition. Youths and sportsmen are most probable to be impacted, with gradually worsening, occasional knee pain the presentation that is stereotypical.
Broadly speaking, PFPS is an aggravation of the contact point between the knee cap (patellar) and also the thigh bone (femur). This is known as the patellofemoral joint. The term will not imply any quantifiable damage to any of the arrangements inside the knee.
Raised stresses may arise as a result of faulty biomechanics, or may occur during athletic activity. It is quite uncommon for athletic action alone to cause PFPS, with mechanics that are defective almost constantly playing a part. Cycling and elite sports involving persistent high loads on the legs, like Olympic rowing, will be the most inclined to be associated with PFPS. Usually, nevertheless, athletic activity is insufficient to cause PFPS without prior biomechanical changes.
The general cause of the changes that are biomechanical can fluctuate, with pace changes due to sedentary lifestyle factors quite common. Investigation of PFPS is usually one of exclusion. That’s to say that, because it cannot be seen on scans etc, all other causes of knee pain must be ruled out to make only PFPS as possible. The best analysis is critical for putting in place an efficient treatment strategy.PFPS is often called growing pains because of its high frequency in teenagers. Although parents shouldn’t be excessively concerned by PFPS, it’s still important as minor mechanical issues during growth phases can cause intense subsequent difficulties if not handled correctly pain is completely inquired.
Treatment typically consists of pain moderation combined with OTC pain killers, followed by correction of biomechanical changes, which is best done using a mix of manipulation and soft tissue release techniques. Since the knee joint is employed so frequently, treatment might have to be somewhat regular at home and the first exercises generally play a significant part. These will likewise change the feet, hip, and spine as a consequence of changes that are compensatory.
Patellofemoral Arthritis
Are you suffering from a condition called, Patellofemoral Arthritis? It is perhaps one of common arthritis that affects the knee joint. Patellofemoral arthritis is the damage of the patellofemoral joint (knee cap and knee joint). There are usually affect people who are overweight, elderly, have previous knee conditions such as interarticular fractures, chronic inflammation of the joints, unstable knee joints, overuse, and other risk factors.
Causes
There are multiple causes of this condition. It could be due either to degeneration or trauma. For instance, a patient who has poor or abnormal patella tracking (knee cap is not moving normally) can cause compressive and sheer forces to the patellofemoral joint. Repetitive and forceful actions of this would eventually erode the cartilage between the knee & knee cap joint and cause inflammation.
In addition, you can also damage the knee by falling down on the knees and therefore causing inflammation of the joint.
Symptoms
Most people will experience moderate to severe levels of pain around their kneecap. In other people, they will experience negligible or no pain. As a result, most people will have difficulty walking upstairs/downstairs, walking for long-distance, and squatting. Upon physical examination, your knee would be swollen, limited knee range of motion, lack of strength, and pain with pressure to the patellofemoral joint.
Treatment
You should start with conservative treatment like physical therapy, hydrotherapy, see a chiropractor, home exercises, gym work, ultrasound, and other such treatments. It is important that you should focus on performing exercises because it would help strengthen and stretch your muscles while preventing any stiffness in the joint. If you are absolutely not sure which exercises to perform, then you should see your health practitioner for advice.
Medications such as NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) are useful in controlling pain and swelling. Heat or cold pack can be applied onto the knee for instant pain relief. However, you should take off the pack every 20 minutes and wait another five minutes to apply on again because the blood flow will adapt to the temperature.
Ultrasound is another effective treatment because it helps to break scar tissue within the knee joint which will reduce knee stiffness and increase blood circulation.
If the pain becomes so severe, then it is best to see a specialist about your knee. Surgery is perhaps the last resort and if you do go with this option, a lengthy rehabilitation program is a must.
