Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome in basic terms is pain in the knee cap and lower part of the thigh and this is a result of too much stress being placed on these areas of the body.
This stress causes the knee cap to become misaligned; it should slide against a specific track on the thigh known as the ‘Patellofemoral groove’.
Symptoms of Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome are:
Pain towards the front of the knee when going up and down the stairs.
Pain towards the front of the knee when running.
Pain in the knee while resting.
The knee locking or giving way.
Interesting Fact: Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome is common among ballet dancers.
What can you do to prevent Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome?
There are many different reasons for Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome so individual causes are best assessed by a doctor. A good all round prevention aid however is to wear a knee brace or strap, which can prove less cumbersome for dancers.
What should you do if you suffer from Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome?
As mentioned individual reasons for why a person suffers from Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome varies, so consulting your doctor should you suffer any of the symptoms is advisable.
For the pain a doctor will typically prescribe an analgesic and recommend the administration of cold therapy. Ice packs, for example, can be applied every two hours for around 20 minutes.
Once the pain is under management gentle exercise in the form of stretching the Calf muscles, Hamstrings, Hip Flexors, Ilio Tibial band, Quadriceps and Hip Rotators is beneficial.