Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome - Anterior Knee Pain

What is Patellofemoral Pain?

The knee joint has three bones in it - the femur (thigh), tibia (shin) and patella (knee cap). Patellofemoral pain syndrome is pain created in the joint between the patella and femur.

What Are The Symptoms Of Patellofemoral Pain?

· Pain at the front of the knee - anterior knee pain
· Pain when walking up or down stairs
· Swelling at the front of the knee
· Reduced knee flexion
· Cracking or popping in the knee

How Do Orthotic Insoles Help?

The patella interacts with the femur by running up and down a valley at the bottom of the femur bone. If the patella runs incorrectly, this can lead to damage in the joint between the thigh bone and the knee cap. These increases in strain of the joint usually occurs due to an internal rotation of the leg. This internal rotation is due to a weakness in the hip muscles and/or over pronation of the feet. Orthotic insoles help to lift the arch of the foot and externally rotate the leg back to its correct position which leads to a stronger contraction of the hip muscles.