Patellofemoral Syndrome

  • What is the Patellofemoral syndrome
    • Also called patellofemoral tracking disorder
    • Various degenerative changes to the articular cartilage on the underside of the patella
  • Contrubuting factors
    • Abnormal biomechanics
      • foot pronation, internal tibial rotation, internal femoral rotation —>increased Q angle
    • A small, high – riding patella(patella alta)
    • Tight lateral structures
      • Vastus lateralis, lateral retinaculum, IT band and tensor fascia latae
      • These increase the lateral pull on the patella
    • Tight posterior and anterior structures
      • Hamstrings, gastrocnemius, rectus femoris
    • IF rectus femoris (Vastus lateralis), IT band, TFL are tight →  Patella move laterally   
    • IF hamstrings and gastrocnemius are tight → Patella move posteriorly
    • Knee injury
    • Repeasted knee stress and overuse
  • Symptomes
    • Clicking and clucking
    • Mild swelling
    • A feeling of instability(like your knee may give away)
    • Pain when squatiing or coming downstairs, Pain on kneeling
    • Discomfort or pain when sitting for long periods ( going to the cinema or taking long airplane jurney)
  • Orthopedic test
    • Waldron’s test
    • Clake’s test
    • Mc Conell test
  • Treatment
    • Depends on condition
    • If there is muscle weakness : strengthening(strengthening quadriceps, adductors)
    • If there is muscle tightness : friction, fascia, tp, swedish massage, stretching (ex, vastus lateralis, it band, hamstrings, gastrocnemius stretching)
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