Is patella femoral syndrome leaving you on the sidelines? Get the facts about coping with patellofemoral syndrome and runner's knee.

1. Runner's Guide to
Patella Femoral Syndrome

2. What Is Patella Femoral
Syndrome?
Patella femoral syndrome
can affect just about every
physically active person from
weekend warriors to professional
athletes. Also called
“runner's knee”, patellofemoral
syndrome, and PFS,
patella femoral syndrome
is a common and complex
medical condition.

3. Who Gets PFS?
PFS is most notably present in
runners and weight lifters.
Essentially, any athlete that
puts repetitive stress on the
sensitive knee joint and
surrounding tissues. But,
runners are especially apt to
develop PFS. Marathon and
long-distance runners beware.
Overuse of the knee joint is a
key factor in the development
of patella femoral syndrome.

4. What Causes Patella Femoral
Syndrome?
The patellofemoral joint is where the muscle fibers of the
quadricep femoris muscle come together. With PFS,
discomfort in one or both knees is caused by improper
tracking of the patella (knee cap) in relation to the femur
bone.
When there is too much contact between the femur and back
of the patella during knee movement, pain results. Thinning
and softening cartilage beneath the femur becomes
inflamed. Changes in the femur bone itself (bone bruises)
develop as a result of the constant friction within the joint.

5. Weak, tight thigh muscles
Bad athletic technique
Poor footwear
Lack of flexibility
Problematic body
alignment (ie:”knock knees”)
Fractures
Osteoarthritis
Knee tumors
...are all factors in getting PFS

6. PFS Symptoms
Most people with patella femoral syndrome will experience
sharp pain in the knees with movement. Some individuals
report feeling as though their knees will “give out” once full
body weight is placed on them.
Even sitting in one position for an extended amount of time
can cause additional pain for those suffering with PFS. Hill
and stair climbing exacerbate the condition. Generally, there
is minimal outward swelling with PFS. The vast majority of
swelling occurs within the patellofemoral joint.

7. Getting Back on Track...
Before treatment starts one must
rule out similar causes of knee pain
like dislocations, ligament problems,
bursitis, and tendonitis.

8. On average, women, teens, and young
adults are most prone to developing PFS.
Having wider pelvis bones than men
women make great candidates for patella
femoral syndrome.
Some doctors are hesitant to treat
the condition and think it's a
psychological problem as the pain
and resulting symptoms are somewhat
vague and elusive.

9. PFS Solutions
Physical therapy (PT) can help alleviate “runner's knee”. PT
offers solutions to fix knee joint tracking problems. Stretching
the lower extremity muscles (hamstrings, quadriceps, calves,
iliotibial band, glutes, and anterior tibialis) aids in countering
any muscle imbalances.
In addition, biofeedback, electrical stimulation, and
ultrasound offer alternatives to more conventional
treatments.

10. Altering activities can help
with pain as well. Runners
should change to non-weight
bearing exercise such as
swimming, cycling, elliptical
machines during acute knee
pain. Standing after sitting
for prolonged periods of time
may alleviate some
discomfort.

11. Heat or ice can be your best friend
when trying to alleviate patella femoral
syndrome flare ups. Some people
prefer warmth to soothe tender knee
joints. Others feel that cold compresses
help to reduce joint inflammation.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
such as Aspirin can also lessen the
amount of pain to affected areas.

12. Braces, tape, knee sleeves, and
infrapatellar straps help to stabilize
weak knee joints. Orthotics are devices
that foster proper foot movement.
Orthotics and fitted arch supports in
shoes correct foot structural
abnormalities such as over-pronation
and flat feet that can contribute to the
development of patella femoral
syndrome. Orthotics can be custom
made or store bought.

13. For most runners, surgery is the option of last resort treat
PFS. It's a decision not to be taken lightly. The main
drawback is that it takes quite a while to recovery from such
an invasive procedure.
Patellofemoral joint replacement is the most common
surgical treatment for patella femoral syndrome. While
performed less frequently than total joint replacement, it can
correct PFS symptoms. In some rare severe cases, a total
knee replacement may be needed to completely ameliorate
PFS.