Patellofemoral Pain
Patellofemoral pain is a broad term used to describe pain at the front of the knee.
There are various factors that contribute to patellofemoral pain, both internal and external to the knee, including malalignment. However, the main risk factors appear to be overuse and overload.
Management of the injury requires a multi-faceted approach. Particular emphasis is placed on load management, along with a structured rehabilitation programme to strengthen the surrounding muscles as well as addressing abnormal movement patterns.
Patellar Instability
The kneecap (patella) sits in a notch on the femur bone called the trochlea. If this groove is too shallow, the patella can become unstable and slide off, resulting in a partial or complete dislocation of the kneecap.
Dislocation can also occur during an acute injury such as a fall, or a rotational type injury of the knee.
Patients with a high riding patella that sits above the groove and patients with other anatomical variants are also more prone to dislocation.
If the patella becomes dislocated, it needs to be relocated or “reduced”, which often happens spontaneously. If the instability keeps reoccurring, surgery may be needed to stabilise the patella, followed by a rehabilitation programme to strengthen the soft tissue structures of the knee, and to prevent any further dislocations.
Patellar Fractures
Fractures to the patella bone usually happen because of a fall or hard blow to the front of the knee.
Treatment options for this type of injury depend on the type of fracture. An undisplaced fracture of the patella, where the broken bone remains in the correct place, generally responds well to being immobilised in a knee brace or cast. Displaced fractures often require surgical treatment to stabilise the site of the fractured bone.
Both conservative and surgical treatments need to be complemented with a rehabilitation programme to strengthen the muscles around the knee.