What is Anterior Knee Pain?
Anterior knee pain also called Runner's knee and Patellofemoral pain syndrome is a pain that occurs at the front or the back of your kneecap (patella). Repetitive stress on the knee joint softens and breaks down the cartilage (tissue) which irritates the kneecap and your patella glides over the front of your knee.
The patellar tendon and quadriceps tendon helps attach the kneecap to the bones and when it is unable to move it rubs against the thigh bone and as a result causes knee misalignment.
In India alone, more than 10 million cases of it come every year making it a common reason for people to visit doctors for knee conditions.
In this blog, we have discussed all the uncommon reasons because of why this pain can occur.
What are the causes of Anterior Knee Pain?
The causes of Anterior Pain are still undiscovered as it causes because of various factors :
Here's a list of all the common and uncommon reasons why you may develop a problem with Knee pain.
You are putting too much pressure and stress on your knees caps than they can handle and as a result, it becomes inflated.
Unbalanced muscles or weak core muscles, interfere with the stability and misalign the knee.
Poor alignment of the patellofemoral joint.
Abnormal lower leg alignment.
Muscle imbalance around the hip and the knee area, that can't keep the kneecap properly aligned.
Fracture and dislocation.
Flat feet or the shoes you wear don't have good shock absorption.
Structural or anatomical abnormalities which interfere with the kneecap. Etc.
There can be other medical conditions also, which can trigger anterior knee pain, including:
Runner's knee or Patellofemoral Pain syndrome.
Jumper’s knee or Patellar Tendonitis.
Lateral compression syndrome.
Osgood-Schlatter disease which inflames the area around the knees.
Sinding-Larsen-Johansson syndrome irritates the growth plate at the bottom of the knee cap.
Iliotibial band syndrome.
Plica synovial syndrome irritates the tissue that inner lines the knee joint. Etc.
What are the Symptoms of Anterior Knee Pain?
The symptoms of Anterior knee pain only include dull and ailing pain in the front or behind the kneecap, which makes sometimes even walking a nightmare.
The symptoms can appear every time if a person is :-
Trying to climb the stairs or going down from it.
Sitting for longer periods. Ex - while working at a desk, watching a movie, driving. Etc.
Performing Squatting.
Cracking and popping sounds when climbing or going downstairs, or standing up after sitting for a very long period.
Pain changes with changes in activity level, the surface at which work or play, equipment, and intensity level of the activity.
Who is at risk of developing Anterior Knee Pain?
It is seen more commonly in females than in males, and various studies and research concluded that around 35-40% of the adolescent population suffer from it every year.
However, If any person has any of these complications, then they are at high risk for developing Anterior Knee Pain:-
Overweight or Obese people.
Someone having a fracture, any kind of dislocation or injury in the kneecap.
Young girls or women who are involved in sports or exercises where leg usage is more because the wider pelvis broadens the angle at which the bones in the knee joint meet.
People who are involved in running, sprinting, cycling, and jumping activities and soccer players.
A history of knee injuries in the family.
If you are having a runner's knee, then it is recommended to leave doing all the activities for some time till it gets in place or you can see medical help if the pain is getting worse day by day.
If you or someone you love is suffering from this, you should consult expert physiotherapists to get rid of the strain. Physiotherapists at fit o fine use cutting-edge advanced practices that include but are not limited to the use of massages, movements and exercises.