Patellofemoral Syndrome is the experience of pain around the patella or kneecap, including the soft tissues and bone around the kneecap. It is also known as runner’s knee or jumper’s knee. No matter what the cause is, patellofemoral syndrome is estimated to affect 25 percent of the population at some point in their lives.
What Causes Patellofemoral Syndrome?
Participation in sports or tasks when running, jumping, and landing or the squatting position is required. Athletes who participate in sports like tennis, football, volleyball, netball, basketball, and skiing among others commonly experience patellofemoral pain. In particular, 16 to 25 percent of all injuries that are reported by runners is patellofemoral syndrome-related.
Risk Factors for Patellofemoral Syndrome
Some of the risk factors for developing patellofemoral syndrome include your age, being female, having a previous injury such as a dislocation or a fracture, or wearing worn-out or improperly fitting footgear.
A change in footwear you are unaccustomed to wearing or a change in the terrain being used for activities can also put you at risk for patellofemoral syndrome. Having proper arch support is also crucial to guarding against knee injuries and pain such as patellofemoral syndrome. Physix Gear offers orthotic inserts that can help support the knee by ensuring proper alignment in the leg. This is especially true if you already have arch issues such as low / fallen arches.
If you carry excess weight, this can put extra strain on your knees; working toward a healthy body weight can help with the prevention of extra weight causing the patellofemoral syndrome.
Also, the use of improper sports training techniques or improper use of equipment can put you at risk of developing the patellofemoral syndrome. If you have weak hip control muscles, this can cause your knee to abnormally twist, resulting in strain on the knee. Basically, most patellofemoral syndrome pain comes from having excessive joint pressure on the knee from poor alignment, and over time, this can affect the back of the kneecap which is the retro patellar joint and cause pain.
How is Patellofemoral Syndrome Treated?
A combination of resting for several days, and using ice, compression, and elevation, as well as anti-inflammatory over the counter medicines, and physical therapy can help recovery immensely. The physical therapy portion may take as much as 6 weeks or longer. During that time, consider an open patella knee brace such as this one to support the knee. Designed with zigzag anti-slip grips which prevent the brace from moving, this brace won't cut off circulation but also will not stretch out even after many years. As it is adjustable, it will fit any size of knee; your Physix Gear’s knee brace is capable of providing all-day support without compromising on your comfort.
When the pain has subsided, for the most part, it would be advantageous for you to build muscle with strength training (perhaps under the guidance of a physical therapist) and to not neglect to warm up thoroughly (such as with a brisk five-minute walk or jog) before more intense physical activity as well as stretching properly after activity. Building muscles in the area can help prevent further patellofemoral syndrome pain by providing natural support.
Where to Purchase Treatment Products
Physix Gear Sport is the World Leader in open patella knee braces and orthotic inserts to give you the best support while recovering from patellofemoral syndrome pain. Physix Gear has a 100% satisfaction guarantee, so you can purchase without risk or hesitation. You can click here to browse and order your open patella knee brace or orthotic inserts today - if for some reason they don’t work for you, send them back for a full refund!