Patellofemoral pain syndrome is a broad term that comprises problems in the patellofemoral joint or the soft tissue surrounding it. It can manifest in different ways, including as intense pain during activities like walking, climbing stairs, and even sitting for prolonged periods of time.
If you’re a runner, an athlete, or just an active person, it can be incredibly disheartening to suffer from this pain, since it curbs your level of activity. Here’s what you need to know about this condition and how to manage it with help from Houston Physicians’ Hospital:
Your healthcare provider will perform an evaluation
Before making any kind of diagnosis for patellofemoral pain syndrome, your healthcare provider will perform a detailed physical evaluation and run some imaging tests like X-rays and CT scans to confirm the source. They will be able to identify where the pain is, what’s causing it, and how to treat it most effectively.
You will need to rest your knee and minimize activity
First and foremost, you will be advised to minimize activity and prioritize rest in order to let the knee heal and to prevent further damage. Instead of forcing yourself to go on long runs and worsening the pain and inflammation, you should stabilize the knee and focus on resting, and also use K-tape, knee braces, and supportive gear.
You will need a combination of therapy and medication
Treating and managing patellofemoral pain syndrome includes physical therapy, over-the-counter pain medication, and possible corticosteroid injections for pain and inflammation. It’s important to follow through on any treatment regimen to make a complete recovery and minimize tissue and tendon pain.
You might require surgical intervention
In certain cases of patellofemoral pain syndrome, you might need to undergo surgery. Procedures like arthroscopic surgery, ACL reconstruction, and meniscus repair surgery are all used to minimize pain, repair tissue, and even realign ligaments and bones in the area.
Knee pain can make your life increasingly difficult unless you see one of the orthopedic Surgeon League City TX,to treat patellofemoral pain syndrome. You can visit Houston Physicians’ Hospital’s website to learn more about orthopedic knee conditions at our Orthopedic Center of Excellence and scroll down the page to find an orthopedic Specialist Webster TX who’s right for you. Once on the page, scroll down to find your physician and click on their profile to schedule an appointment. You can also learn more about our knee pain services in detail here.