Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome AKA Runners Knee

Look up PEACE & LOVE vs RICE for a tire injuries.

It’s a lot more nuanced than the above, buts it’s a good start. From the rehab side of thing there is a lot I can help you with after a formal evaluation.

If you need want help what’s your email?

I would recommend PT. You need to work on quad strength and balance. If really inflamed Cortisone can be helpful.

The biggest thing with PFPS is strengthening the VMO and hamstring flexibility. The best exercise for VMO strengthening is terminal knee extensions.

Yes a steroid shot can help as well. But this usually will respond to home exercises.

Also glutes. Do not neglect glute strength to control femoral rotation and reduce lateral tracking/movement deficits promoting more valgus or rotation stress

quote:

---

The only real solution when it comes to PPS is to stop doing whatever the movement is that’s aggravating it. It’s basically a throw away diagnosis for when the doctors can’t find anything wrong with your knee.

---

Not an attack, but this is not true. PFPS is caused by inadequate patella tracking during movement. This is usually caused by a weak VMO. I say that because muscles (for the most part) do not get tight unless a muscle in that kinetic chain is weakened. Strengthening the VMO will help the patella tracking and relieve PFPS pain. Lengthening the Vastus Lateralis and Hamstrings will also help.

quote:

---

X-rays have showed that cartilage is still intact

---

X-rays do not show this. X-rays can show joint spacing and bone alignment/health. MRIs show soft tissue health.

quote:

---

I basically can’t do any kind of squat movement due to the amount pain my left knee is constantly in.

---

What is happening with your knee? Perhaps we can help you, or at least point you in the right direction. Being as specific as possible can help us help you better.

I hope this helps.

Where is the pain located?

quote:

---

It’s in the patella

---

My best guess, without doing an examination, would be you are pinching the fat pad. It can be very painful and coincides with the location of the pain you are describing as well as only hurting on the concentric phase of your lift.

I would get it checked out. Most treatments will be strengthening your quads, as well as fixing muscle imbalances in your knees/hips.

Hope this helps.

Hoffa's fat pad. Fatty tissue that acts as a shock absorber for your patella.

Again, without an examination it is only a guess based on the information you gave.

Usual treatment would be strengthening the Quads and finding and fixing the muscle imbalances in your lower extremity. It's one of those things that I wouldn't be able to adequately give you advice without an examination to figure out those imbalances.

Rest and Ice will help with the inflammation, along with NSAIDs. Although I don't really like to use ice anymore for inflammation control except with acute injuries.