A 13 year old patient with complaints of pain in the front of her left knee came into the office earlier this month. She was diagnosed with patellofemoral pain syndrome. This problem is characterized by pain in the area of the kneecap with kneeling, deep knee bending, squatting, and stair climbing motions. The knee pain is caused by improper tracking of the kneecap (patella) within the femoral groove and can lead to cartilage degeneration and knee arthritis. Physical therapy can be very helpful for relieving patellofemoral pain through the use of specific exercises to increase flexibility and decrease tightness around the knee and to strengthen the inner portion of the quadriceps muscle. Taping or using a brace to stabilize the kneecap can also be helpful. If you are having pain in the area around your kneecap, please contact Heritage Health and set up an appointment for a physical therapy evaluation today.

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