Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome is also called Anterior
Knee Pain. It is a condition that results from abnormal movement of the
kneecap when we straighten and bend our knee. It is usually aggravated
by activities that involve this movement while we are weight bearing.
Climbing or descending stairs is a good example.
The Patella’s job is to protect the quadriceps
muscle as it crosses over the knee joint. It moves up and down as we
flex our knee and it is contained within a groove at the bottom of the
thigh bone. In normal movement the patella glides smoothly and is
centered in the groove.
This animation shows the normal movement of the patella in the groove, looking down the thigh from above.
Patella braces push directly on the kneecap, guiding
it back towards the inside of the groove and reducing the symptoms of
pain and swelling.
Patella knee braces are able to reduce the pressure straight away
and with each step causing less aggravation, the pain begins to fade. It
is important to use them as part of the complete program with Physical
Therapy vital for long term results. In severe cases, when people find
the prescribed exercises painful, a brace can help you get started by
allowing you to complete your exercise program without stirring up your
knee.
