Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome Diagnosis & Treatment in Ramsey NJ

Alternatively known as “runner’s knee,” “jumper’s knee,” or “patellar overload syndrome,” patellofemoral pain syndrome is a condition we see a lot of around here at our Ramsey NJ comprehensive pain management practice. While it can be painful and debilitating, this condition is treatable and typically responds well to conservative management.

What is Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome? How Will I Know I Have It?

Patellofemoral pain syndrome (knee and kneecap pain) is often caused by vigorous exercise, such as during sports training or physically-demanding work activities. These activities may lead to repeated stress on the knee and knee cap, resulting in pain and inflammation. Other causes and risk factors may include patella malalignment (often due to hip, knee, and/or ankle alignment problems) and abnormal tightness and/or weakness of the quadriceps and other hip and leg muscles.

Symptoms  include:

• Anterior knee pain while squatting, climbing stairs, running, and jumping
• Knee pain after prolonged sitting
• Knee pain that comes on or worsens after a recent change in activity level
• Audible popping or crackling noises in your knee joint during movement

Who Gets Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome?

Women, especially younger women, are far more likely to be affected by patellofemoral pain syndrome. It’s common in athletes who participate in high impact athletic activities. However, patellofemoral pain syndrome can also happen in men as well as non-athletes.

Treatment & Prevention for Patellofemoral Knee Pain

Our patients who come to our Northern New Jersey pain clinic for help with their knee pain appreciate our approach to care. We don’t believe in simply covering up pain with medications, nor trying to “fix” symptoms without addressing the underlying causes of the problem. That’s why our plan of care for patellofemoral pain syndrome, whether for you or your loved one, will be thorough and comprehensive.

First, we’ll need to confirm a diagnosis and rule out other potential problems including quadriceps and patellar tendonitis, Osgood-Schlatter disease, or a degenerative condition known as chondromalacia patella. We rely on our physical examination techniques, diagnostic testing, and patient history taking to help us pinpoint the exact cause of your dysfunction.

Next, our multidisciplinary team will implement a customized treatment plan—all available right here under one roof! Some of the most effective treatments we can use include:

• Physical therapy, with emphasis on stretching and strengthening your quadriceps and other key leg, hip, and trunk muscles
• Acupuncture and percutaneous electroneuro stimulation for drug-free pain relief
• Osteopathic manipulations and other non-surgical orthopedics, to relieve pain and improve joint range of motion and alignment

Lastly, we’ll educate you on ways to prevent your knee pain from coming back. This may include extending and customizing your pre-activity warm up, maintaining a home exercise program, wearing appropriately supportive shoes, and maintaining a healthy body weight.

Is your knee pain keeping you back from the sports and activities you love? Call our advanced orthopedic and rehabilitation team today, led by Dr. Steven Ferrer and Dr. Kevin McElroy. We’re proud to be among Northern New Jersey’s leaders in innovative, non-surgical, and comprehensive pain management, and we’re confident that we can help you and your loved ones, as well. To schedule your initial consultation or to learn more about the services we offer at our state-of-the-art facility, call Progressive Spine & Sports Medicine now at (201) 962-9199.