Knee pain comes in many varieties since your knee is the largest and most complex joint in your body. Patellofemoral pain syndrome usually appears in the front of your knee, around your kneecap. It makes bending your knee pain, which limits your mobility. Call the knee experts at the Spine & Rehab Group, with offices in New York City and across northern New Jersey to get the pain relief you want and the healing you need.
What Is Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS)?
Patellofemoral pain syndrome affects the front part of your knee, including the area surrounding the kneecap. One in four cases of knee injury is diagnosed as runner’s knee or jumper’s knee, another name for patellofemoral pain syndrome. Adolescent girls and women younger than 60 are twice as likely as men to end up with this type of sports injury.
Patellofemoral pain requires a thorough examination by an experienced knee specialist like Dr. Amr Hosny at the Spine & Rehab Group. With eight locations in Bergen County, Union County, Morris County, NJ, and Manhattan, NYC, you can find a knee specialist near you. Get the right diagnosis so you can get the best treatment for patellofemoral pain syndrome.
When you bend or straighten your knees, the kneecap moves up and down in a groove that’s located in your femur or thigh bone. When the muscles in your buttocks and thighs are weak or stiff, this movement takes more effort. Over time, you may develop knee pain every time you bend or straighten your knees because the kneecaps aren’t properly tracking in the groove.
If you don’t have the condition treated in a timely manner, your knee pain increases, and you may be doing more damage to the joint.
While there are many factors that influence whether you develop patellofemoral pain syndrome, some of the more common ways you can end up with damaged knees include:
Overuse. Running, squatting, climbing stairs, and jumping are activities that put repeated stress on your knees. When you overdo exercises like increasing the sets, running longer distances or running more often in a week, you increase the repetitive stress, which in time can create ideal conditions for patellofemoral pain syndrome.
Patella Alta. This is a condition in which your kneecap rides higher than the groove in your thigh bone, causing misalignment problems.
Patella Baja. When your kneecap slides lower than normal, it causes misalignment within the thigh bone groove.
Trauma. If you’re in a car accident, have a bad fall, or get a direct hit on your knees, the force of the blow may cause fractures or dislocation of your kneecap.
Previous surgery for an ACL tear. This type of surgery requires grafting a patellar tendon, which can increase your risk for patellofemoral pain.
Muscle or tendon tightness. If you have tight hamstrings or a rigid Achilles tendon, you may experience knee pain.
Rheumatoid arthritis. This type of arthritis causes stiffness and pain in your knee joints.
Improper form. If you don’t use the equipment in your gym correctly, you can end up with knee pain and other physical damage.
Inappropriate footwear. Not wearing the type of footwear that provides adequate shock absorption can damage your knees.
Choosing rough terrain. Running or jogging over uneven ground presents the possibility of a knee or ankle injury.
Why Should I Consult a Knee Specialist?
When you hurt your knee, it’s not easy to guess what’s causing the knee pain. Many injuries and ailments share similar symptoms.
For example, you may have:
Consulting Dr. Hosny gets to the root cause of your pain. Your pain specialist can then recommend the best method to treat it so you finally get some relief.
During your consultation, mention all your symptoms, such as:
A dull aching pain in front of the knee
Pain when you exercise or do any activity that requires you to bend your knees, like climbing stairs
Pain when you sit in a chair for a long time
A popping or cracking sound in one of your knees when you bend it
A kneecap that feels tender to the touch
Pain when you flex your knees while wearing tight clothes
patient TESTIMONIALS★★★★★
I’ve been coming here for about 6 weeks now and have had a very positive experience. PT has been instrumental in resolving problems with my knees. The office itself is very nice, clean, and quiet. More importantly, the people who work here are caring, professional, and extremely good at what they do!
Alexander S.★★★★★
Fantastic doctor and amazing staff! I went there for treatment of knee pain and am happy with the results. I had plasma injections. My knees recovered well, and the procedure was painless. I believe it's crucial to take it easy to heal more quickly following the treatment. I was overly active, therefore my healing took a little while.
What’s the Treatment for Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome?
Once your doctor has determined the cause of your pain, the first level of treatment may be pain management. You can start by taking over-the-counter pain medications and resting your knees. Ice your bad knee and do exercises to strengthen your hip, back, and leg muscles. Wearing a brace to limit your knee’s movement or taping your knee to reduce the pain are also good suggestions.
If these methods prove futile, you may require some minimally invasive techniques to kill your pain and foster healing.
Your doctor may suggest treatments that include:
When you’re ready to book an appointment to address your knee pain and find out if you do have patellofemoral pain syndrome, look for the Spine & Rehab Group facility nearest you. Patellofemoral pain syndrome treatment is nearer than you think. Contact the practice today.Page Updated on Dec 9, 2024 by Dr. Hosny (Interventional Spine Specialist) of The Spine & Rehab Group
Dr. Hosny is a distinguished physician, educator, and healthcare leader with a commitment to advancing health equity and accessibility in the rapidly evolving landscape of modern healthcare. After completing his residency at St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital Center, affiliated with Columbia University in New York City, he pursued an Interventional Spine Fellowship at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, part of Harvard Medical School in Boston, MA.
Dr. Hosny has held prominent roles in academic medicine, including serving as an Associate Clinical Professor at New York Medical College and as the Interventional Spine Fellowship Program Director. These positions reflect his dedication to mentoring the next generation of healthcare professionals and advancing the field of interventional spine care.
CONTENT DISCLAIMER The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only. It is not intended as definitive treatment advice. It's essential to consult a board-certified pain specialist regarding any questions or concerns. Always seek a thorough evaluation for an accurate diagnosis and tailored treatment plan. To schedule a consultation, please contact our office directly.
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Patellofemoral pain syndrome affects the front part of your knee, including the area surrounding the kneecap. One in four cases of knee injury is diagnosed as runner’s knee or jumper’s knee, another name for patellofemoral pain syndrome. Adolescent girls and women younger than 60 are twice as likely as men to end up with this type of sports injury.
Patellofemoral pain requires a thorough examination by an experienced knee specialist like Dr. Amr Hosny at the Spine & Rehab Group. With eight locations in Bergen County, Union County, Morris County, NJ, and Manhattan, NYC, you can find a knee specialist near you. Get the right diagnosis so you can get the best treatment for patellofemoral pain syndrome.
Amr Hosny, MD, MBA, FASA
David Chu, MD, FAAPMR
Vivek Mehta, MD, FAAPMR
Deepali Gupta, MD, DABA, DABPM
