Foot Problems

Patellofemoral syndrome

Patellofemoral pain syndrome generally occurs when the patella does not move or 'track' correctly when the knee is being bent.

Symptoms include aching/pain/tenderness in the knee, particularly when bending and straightening the leg. Swelling is common and walking up or down hills/stairs exacerbates the pain.

There are a number of causes of patellofemoral pain syndrome including overloading the joint with specific activities such as running, over-pronation and other biomechanical problems such as knock-knees and quadrecep muscle imbalance.

Treatment includes orthotics and appropriate footwear to realign the
lower limbs and correct abnormal mechanics, and stretching/strengthening exercises should be adopted.