Do you have pain when you run?

Patellofemoral chondromalacia is an injury to the cartilage that lies beneath your kneecap. It is commonly known as runner’s knee, and so is a common cause for knee pain.

Causes

It results due to the malalignment of your knee cap.

● The malalignment of your knee cap may be due to the tightness of muscles on either side of the knee joint that causes the pull over the knee cap on the stronger side. The kneecap cap pull exerts posterior compression causing knee pain.

● Your Weak muscles are not able to keep the knee cap in its position. Knee cap falls out of the groove and begins to injure cartilages in the joint.

● It is an overuse injury; it degenerates the cartilages in the joint.

● Abnormalities such as flat foot and hyperextended knee may also exert maximum pressure on your knee causing pain in the front of the knee.

Symptoms

● Pain in the front of your knee

● Weakness in the knee can cause your knee to give away suddenly

● Aggravating pain on sitting

● Difficulty climbing up and down the stairs

● Limited activities.

Physiotherapy Management

Rest: completely putting your knee to rest by avoiding painful activity allows the knee to heal and prevent further injury.

Ice ice cube packs application on your knee help improve blood circulation to the pain site which brings more oxygen and nutrients for speedy recovery.

Compression: compression bandage may help your knee to reduce swelling and also keep your knee in resting position.

Elevation: elevating your knee using a pillow or soft foam may relieve pressure on the joints as well as prevent fluid build up.

Strengthens exercises: strengthening your weak hip and knee muscles help reduce the pull force on the knee cap.

Taping: taping holds your kneecap in its normal position, also

prevents frictional forces exerted while on activities.

Conclusion

Patellofemoral chondromalacia is most commonly seen in long distance runners. However, everyone is likely to suffer. It is a curable condition with timely physiotherapy.