Well after recommending that everyone lift their game and keep exercising through winter, it seems that we should practice what we preach! We missed the July Blog, and tend to blame short days, cold mornings, and repeat doses of the flu as an excuse! To make up this month we have a blog about Patellofemoral Syndrome– a very common cause of knee pain in exercisers that can be frustrating to manage. Rest assured that the experts at BSEMS will help you with diagnosis, investigations, and appropriate rehab. Until Spring- happy exercising!
Patellofemoral Syndrome (PFS)
Definition:
This syndrome describes pain in and around the patella (knee cap). It was formerly known as ‘chondromalcia patellae’, but this has fallen out of vogue. It is thought to be secondary to patellar malalignment to the femoral trochlea, resulting in abnormalities within the articular cartilage. It is also thought to be due to a ‘supra physiological mechanical loading and chemical irritation of the nerve endings denoting loss of tissue homeostatsis’- causing an inflammatory cascade and consequent peripatellar synovitis.
Mechanics: At full extension the patella sits lateral to the trochlea. During flexion it moves medially and comes to lie within the intercondylar notch at 10-20°, until 130° when it starts to move laterally again. With increasing flexion, more of the patella articular surface comes into contact with the femur, offsetting the increased load associated with flexion.
Contributing factors:
- Femoral anteversion (congenitally ‘internally rotated femur’)
- Limited hip external rotation: secondary to soft tissue restriction eg tight anterior hip joint capsule, short adductors, tensor fascia lata, iliopsoas or rectus femoris.
- Tightened ITB: results in overactivity of TFL and decreased activity of posterior fibres of gluteus medius.
- Tightened lateral structures: Superficial structures: vastus lateralis and ITB which restrict medial glide. Deep structures: lateral retinaculum which restricts medial tilt.
- Tightened posterior structures: hamstring and gastrocnemius, cause lateral tracking of the patella by increasing the dynamic Q angle.
- Altered foot biomechanics
The VMO (inside quadriceps muscle) in PFS pain sufferers may need to fire earlier to overcome abnormal tracking forces.
The patella is the centrepiece of all the stabilizing forces that act around the knee. It increases effective extension force by as much as 50%. A patellofemoral joint reactive force (PFJRF) is created by compression of the patella against the femur and this force is transmitted to subchondral bone.
The PFJRF increases with increased knee flexion: 15º = 1 times body weight; 20º = 2 times; 45º = 3 times; and 75º = 6 times.
- Normal walking creates a PFJRF of half body weight
- Ascending stairs 3.3 times body weight
- Squatting 6-7 times body weight.
Limitation of knee extension necessitates increased tension within the quadriceps and increased PFJRF. A large PFJRF distributed over a large area yields a lesser degree of articular stress, if this area is decreased then stresses are increased.
History:
A medial site to the femoral pain is indicative of PFS. The onset of PFS pain is often insidious but may present after an acute traumatic episode. Patients often have a diffuse ache, which may be exacerbated by prolonged sitting (‘movie-goer’s knee’) or activity. It can occur during running and gradually worsens. There may be recurrent clicking or crepitus.
Treatment:
In an open kinetic chain, the hamstrings are predominant in flexion and quadriceps in extension. These exercises (e.g. straight leg raises and knee extensions while wearing ankle weights) place a greater load on the patellofemoral joint and should be avoided early in rehab. In closed kinetic chain exercises (e.g. leg presses or partial squats) there is co-activation of both hamstrings and quadriceps. These exercises strengthen agonist and antagonist muscles simultaneously, result in decreased PFJRF, and are far more physiologic for lower extremity sporting activities.
- Reduction of pain and inflammation: RICE, NSAIDs, and electrotherapeutic modalities.
- Taping: Should reduce symptoms by 50% and result in earlier activation of VMO. Acute cases may need taping for 24 hours per day until pain settles, then gradually reduce.
- Muscle training: Training of VMO and gluteus medius. Isolate VMO by palpating when it is contracting (biofeedback better). Start with closed chain exercises (i.e. foot on the ground) and progress to weight bearing and functional exercises.
- Stretching: Stretch tight lateral structures- side lying position with knee flexed. Glide patella medially using the heel of the hand. Also work on quads, hamstrings, calf and ITB.
- Massage: Work on tight areas, particularly ITB.
- Braces: Not as good as tape.
- Orthotics: may correct excessive subtalar pronation.
- Correction of other precipitating factors: eg training, shoes, surfaces.
- Surgery: only if failure conservative management. May need chondroplasty and rarely lateral release.