Knee Pain: Patellofemoral Pain:
Have you ever experienced aching kneecaps or pain under your kneecap? You might be dealing with Patellofemoral Pain (PFP), a common lower limb injury that can cause significant discomfort and even disability.
What is PFP?
PFP occurs when the patella (kneecap) doesn't glide smoothly within the femoral condyles, the groove in your knee joint. Typically, the patella moves up and down in this groove as you bend and flex your knee. In PFP, the patella doesn’t track properly, often moving laterally (side to side). This results in the bony surfaces of the patella and femoral condyle coming into contact, causing pain.
Causes:
The leading causes of PFP include muscle imbalances, tightness in the muscles around the knee, or poor control of knee movement. Research has shown that weak hip abductor and external rotator muscles increase the risk of PFP. These muscle weaknesses can lead to misalignment of the patella, resulting in pain during movement.
Symptoms:
Individuals with PFP commonly experience pain at the front of the knee and behind the kneecap. The discomfort is usually triggered by activities like squatting, climbing stairs, running, or engaging in sports. Symptoms can be vague, making it difficult for people to determine the exact source of their pain.
Treatment:
Treatment for PFP often includes taping and manual therapy, Which help to correct the position of the patella and reduce pain. The most common taping technique involves.
