Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS), often called “runner’s knee” or “tracking issues,” is a common condition causing pain under or around the kneecap (patella). This pain typically worsens with activities like running, jumping, squatting, kneeling, or using the stairs. PFPS occurs when the kneecap does not glide smoothly in the groove of the thigh bone (femur) due to muscle imbalances or biomechanical faults.
At Dosher Physical Therapy, our specialized Knee Pain and Tracking Issue Therapy focuses on identifying the source of the misalignment—which often stems from the hip and foot—and correcting the underlying issues to restore smooth, pain-free knee function.
What is Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS) Therapy?
PFPS therapy is a non-surgical, evidence-based approach that targets the dynamic alignment of the entire leg. It aims to reduce the mechanical stress on the kneecap and restore the correct tracking path. Our therapy focuses on:
- Hip and Core Strengthening: Building strength in the gluteal muscles (Gluteus Medius) and core stabilizers (Core Strength and Stability Programs). Weakness here allows the thigh bone to rotate inward, which pulls the kneecap out of alignment.
- Addressing Foot Mechanics: Evaluating the role of the feet in knee mechanics. Over-pronation (flat feet) can cause the entire leg to collapse inward, often requiring Custom Shoe Orthotic Evaluations and Fittings.
- Quadriceps Balancing: Ensuring the muscles that pull the kneecap have balanced strength and length, allowing the patella to track centrally.
- Activity Modification: Providing guidance on temporarily modifying or adjusting activities like running or squatting to allow the joint to heal while maintaining activity levels.
Who Can Benefit from Patellofemoral Therapy?
If you experience pain around your kneecap that limits your activity, you can benefit from our specialized therapy. This includes individuals with:
- Anterior Knee Pain: Pain under or around the kneecap that is dull, aching, or sharp.
- Pain with Stairs: Discomfort or clicking when ascending or descending stairs.
- Movie Sign: Pain that occurs after prolonged sitting with the knee bent.
- Athletes: Runners, cyclists, and jumpers experiencing pain during or after training.
- Individuals with Tracking Issues: A visible or palpable sensation of the kneecap shifting or grating during movement.
- Related Conditions: Therapy for IT Band Condition Treatment is often integrated, as a tight IT band can also pull the kneecap laterally.
Key Treatment Techniques Used
A successful PFPS rehabilitation plan focuses on improving strength and controlling movement throughout the entire lower extremity:
Technique | Focus Area | Benefit for PFPS |
General Strengthening Exercises | Targeted strengthening of the Gluteus Medius and Vastus Medialis Oblique (VMO) muscle. | Provides the muscular stability needed to control the femur and maintain patellar alignment. |
Taping/Support | Postural Taping and Support for the kneecap (Kinesio or McConnell taping). | Provides immediate, temporary pain relief by correcting the kneecap’s position during movement. |
Foot and Ankle Rehabilitation | Mobilization and strengthening of the arch and ankle stabilizers. | Addresses foundational issues that cause the leg to rotate improperly. |
Soft Tissue Mobilizations | Releasing tight hip flexors, IT band, and calf muscles. | Reduces tension in tissues that exert a misaligning pull on the kneecap. |
Proprioception Exercises | Balance and single-leg stance training. | Enhances coordination and motor control for running and jumping activities. |
Additional Resources and Services
Complete lower body health often involves integrating care for related areas:
- ACL Reconstruction Rehabilitation: Addressing tracking issues is a key part of long-term knee health post-surgery.
- Blood Flow Restriction Training: Used to build quadriceps strength without the heavy load that can aggravate the kneecap.
- Sciatica Treatment: Lower body issues can often mask or contribute to nerve pain.
To schedule your knee evaluation and begin your journey back to pain-free activity, please visit our Contact page or call your preferred clinic location.
