Usually, your doctor will be able to diagnose PFPS with just a physical examination. He or she will look for problems with your gait that may be contributing to your knee pain. Tightness of the heel cord and flexibility of the feetįinally, your doctor may ask you to walk back and forth in order to examine your gait (the way you walk).Strength, flexibility, firmness, and tone of the hips, front thigh muscles (quadriceps), and back thigh muscles (hamstrings).The attachment of thigh muscles to the kneecap.Knee stability, hip rotation, and range of motion of knees and hips.Alignment of the lower leg and the position of the kneecap.To help diagnose the cause of your pain and to rule out any other physical problems, your doctor may also check: Rosemont, IL, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 2010. Reproduced with permission from JF Sarwark, ed: Essentials of Musculoskeletal Care, ed 4. If your pain persists or it becomes more difficult to move your knee, contact your doctor for a thorough evaluation. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and naproxen can help reduce swelling and relieve pain. As often as possible, rest with your knee raised up higher than your heart. Make sure that the bandage fits snugly and does not cause additional pain. To prevent additional swelling, lightly wrap the knee in an elastic bandage, leaving a hole in the area of the kneecap. ![]() Use cold packs for 20 minutes at a time, several times a day. Avoid putting weight on the painful knee. RICE stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation. If you are overweight, losing weight will also help to reduce pressure on your knee. This may mean changing your training routine or switching to low-impact activities-such as riding a stationary bike, using an elliptical machine, or swimming-that will place less stress on your knee joint. Stop doing the activities that make your knee hurt until your pain is resolved. In many cases, patellofemoral pain will improve with simple home treatment. Weak or imbalanced quadriceps can cause poor tracking of the kneecap within the groove. When the knee bends and straightens, the quadriceps muscles and quadriceps tendon help to keep the kneecap within the trochlear groove.
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