Tag: kttape

What is Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome?

It is pain in the anterior knee at or below the patella caused when the kneecap is tracking wrong on the femur. This leads to the wearing away and cracking of the cartilage under the kneecap. You may experience the following symptoms: deep ache under the kneecap, worse when ascending and descending stairs, worse with downhill running, stiffness after prolonged sitting with the knee bent.

Causes?

There are several things that can make you more susceptible to iliotibial band syndrome. The following would/could contribute to the injury:

1. Direct traumatic injury
2. Imbalance of strength within the quadriceps (Vastus Medialis strength needed to help track the patella correctly)
3. Repetitive stress (wear and tear)

Treatment
In order to combat the pain and train properly, treating the cause of the problem is important. You may have to try multiple modalities until you find the culprit!

1. Ice
2. Correct the muscle imbalance
3. Tape the knee cap (see diagram below)
4. Stretch

Exercises for Patellofemoral Pain