What’s the best treatment for Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome?
Patellofemoral pain syndrome treatment typically involves a combination of techniques. As mentioned in our previous blog ‘What is PFPS?’, this condition is one of the common knee complaints we see on a daily basis. Causes range from simple overuse to quite intricate imbalances in biomechanics. Therefore, Patellofemoral pain syndrome treatment needs to be tailored to each individual.
Initial treatment for Patellofemoral pain syndrome
PFPS can often cause pain symptoms for simple daily tasks. Addressing your immediate pain and discomfort will be the first goal. This can be helped with:
- POLICE Method: Protection, Optimum Load, Ice, Compression, and Elevation to reduce inflammation
- Pain Relief: Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications may be recommended for short-term pain management. See more info here on when’s best to take these.
- Load Management Advice: Education on avoiding aggravating activities and finding your current threshold
On occasions further investigations such as an X-Ray may be needed if Osteoarthritis of the kneecap joint is suspected. However, treatment will follow a similar path.
What’s the best treatment for Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS)?
Physiotherapy treatment for Patellofemoral pain syndrome has been proven to provide significant improvement long term. As the causes of PFPS are varied it is key to use a combination of approaches to the get the best results:
- Manual Therapy: Mobilisation of the patella and soft tissue techniques to improve knee mechanics
- Taping Techniques: Kinesiology taping may be used to support the patella and reduce pain during activities
- Biomechanical Assessment: analysing movement patterns and provide guidance on proper technique for activities like running and squatting
- Exercise Program: A crucial component focusing on:
- Strengthening exercises for quadriceps, hamstrings, and hip muscles
- Stretching routines to improve flexibility
- Core strengthening to enhance overall stability
- Hyaluronic Acid (HA) Injections: have been proven to provide nourishment and lubrication to irritated joints like the knee. See here for more details
Improving proximal (hip/pelvis) strength and stability is a key focus in treating Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). Research consistently shows that proximal rehabilitation exercises targeting hip and core muscles are effective in reducing pain and improving function for PFPS patients.
How long does treatment take?
Long term treatment for Patellofemoral pain syndrome will include a graduated return to daily tasks and activities tailored to you. As a general rule, a rehab programme progressing steadily over 3-4months is required to get you on the right path. Joint conditions like this usually improve month by month when treated right. So be patience, it will improve.
If you have any questions regarding this or any other injury book an appointment here. For any further information please call us on 0114 267 8181 or email [email protected]
