Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome in Mona Vale
Patellofemoral pain is a common cause of pain around or behind the kneecap, particularly during running, squatting, stairs and other activities that load the knee. At Helix Recovery, we assess the factors contributing to your symptoms and develop a progressive rehabilitation plan to improve strength and restore your tolerance to activity.
What is Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome ?
Patellofemoral pain syndrome describes pain arising from the region around or behind the kneecap where it interacts with the thigh bone. It is sometimes referred to as runner's knee, although it can affect both active and less active people.
Symptoms often develop when the demands being placed on the knee exceed its current capacity. Changes in training, lower-limb strength and the amount or type of activity being performed can all influence symptoms.
Common Symptoms
Pain around or behind the kneecap
Pain with squatting or lunging
Pain when walking up or down stairs
Pain during or after running
Discomfort after sitting with the knee bent for prolonged periods
Pain with jumping or other loaded knee movements
Clicking or grinding around the kneecap
Reduced tolerance for exercise or sport
How We Assess Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
Several conditions can cause pain at the front of the knee, including patellar tendinopathy, so assessment is important to determine the most likely source of your symptoms.
Assessment may include squatting, stepping, running or other movements that reproduce your pain, along with assessment of hip, knee and lower-limb strength and your current activity or training loads.
The aim is to identify the factors contributing to your symptoms and determine which can be addressed through exercise, load management and treatment.
How We Treat Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
Treatment depends on how long symptoms have been present, their severity and the activities you want to return to.
Treatment may include:
Osteopathic manual therapy
Progressive exercise rehabilitation
Quadriceps and hip strengthening
Movement and exercise modification
Activity and load modification
Gradual return to running, gym or sport
Shockwave Therapy for Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
Shockwave therapy is not typically a primary treatment for patellofemoral pain, with progressive exercise rehabilitation remaining the main focus of management.
However, shockwave therapy may be utilised to target local soft tissue structures that are contributing to pain or sensitivity around the knee. Where appropriate, it can be used alongside strengthening and load management as part of a broader treatment plan.
Common Questions
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There is rarely one single cause. Symptoms can be influenced by changes in activity or training load, lower-limb strength, movement demands and the knee's current capacity to tolerate those loads.
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Not necessarily. Running may temporarily need to be reduced or modified if it is significantly aggravating symptoms, but the goal is generally to gradually rebuild your tolerance rather than permanently avoid running.
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Yes. Progressive strengthening, particularly of the quadriceps and hip muscles, is an important part of managing patellofemoral pain and improving the knee's ability to tolerate activity.
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No. Clicking, grinding and other noises around the kneecap are common and can occur in people without pain. The presence of noise alone does not necessarily indicate damage to the joint.
Is Knee Pain Getting in the Way of Your Training?
If pain around your kneecap is limiting running, gym training, sport or everyday activities, we can assess what's contributing and develop a progressive treatment and rehabilitation plan.