One of the most common parts of the body that many people (especially athletes) find problems with is the knee. That is because the knee carries a lot of a person’s weight and sustains a lot of impacts and other physical forces that can quickly lead to issues.
For many people, this stress leads to a feeling of pain that develops in front of the knee or on its sides. This is known as Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS). It can be caused by various things that can change from person to person.
If you are experiencing PFPS, here is what you need to know to deal with the condition:
Assessing the cause of PFPS
To address your knee for PFPS, a physiotherapist will have you undergo a few tests. For example, they will examine how you walk, squat, kneel, and the like. These tests are centred on the movement of your knee, as well as your ankle and hips. Any pain you may feel in these tests can allow the physiotherapist to identify the main cause.
That said, many more tests can be done, depending on what the physiotherapist may suspect is causing the pain. These tests will help them more accurately pinpoint the source of your pain.
Only when a therapist can determine that your pain is coming from just your knee (and not other parts, like your ankle and hips) will they diagnose you with PFPS.
Treating PFPS
While the treatment of PFPS can vary from individual to individual, there are some general strategies you can use to reduce pain and allow your knee to heal.
In most cases, you will have to take plenty of rest and avoid putting any weight on your knee. This can last a few days or even a week, and the main goal is to allow your joints to relax and heal slowly. Once you have sufficiently rested, you will undergo different activities that will slowly put back some load onto your knee.
This load will be gradual to allow your knee to get used to carrying weight once more and prevent any injuries from reoccurring. You will also go through a series of exercise programs to strengthen the muscles involving your knee, allowing it to become more resilient to PFPS. For instance, you may find yourself doing plenty of stretches to stimulate the muscles, reduce pain, and encourage recovery.
During this program, you can include other activities like adding heat or ice to the injured area and wearing knee supports to reduce pain.
Conclusion
When it comes to PFPS or any other pain you may be feeling in your joints, you must undergo physiotherapy as quickly as possible. Doing so will allow you to address the issue as soon as possible and limit further damage or injury to the joint.
That being said, the most crucial aspect of treating PFPS is to practice patience. Sometimes, these conditions can last weeks or even months, and you need to be patient with your recovery to successfully get through it.
In need of physio in Brisbane to address your knee pain? Anytime Physio is here to help you recover under the watchful guidance and help of our professional physiotherapists. Get in touch with us today.
