OVERVIEW
Anterior Knee Pain
Many people find the patello-femoral (joint between the kneecap & the thigh bone-called femur) problematic. Excessive forces on the underside of the kneecap (causing painful stress on the cartilage on the underside of the kneecap), quadriceps tendinitis/tendinosis and patellar tendonitis/tendinosis are three common causes of pain in the front of the knee. Anterior knee pain can also be caused by Chondromalacia (softening the cartilage).
These conditions are often caused by overuse and weak hip strength. These conditions can often be treated with physical therapy, tapping/bracing the knee and hips, and the appropriate eccentric or hip stabilization exercises according to your therapist’s recommendation.
TREATMENT
Possible Treatments
- Aerobic/Endurance Exercise
- Core Strengthening
- Cryotherapy or Cold Therapy
- Electrotherapeutic Modalities
- Gait or Walking Training
- Isometric Exercise
- Knee Active Range of Motion
- Knee Joint Mobilization
- Knee Resistive Range of Motion
- Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation
- Proprioception Exercises
- Physical Agents
- Stretching/Flexibility Exercise
GOALS
Possible Treatment Goals
- Decrease Risk of Reoccurrence
- Improve Fitness
- Improve Function
- Improve Muscle Strength and Power
- Increase Oxygen to Tissues
- Improve Proprioception
- Improve Range of Motion
- Self-care of Symptoms
- Improve Tolerance for Prolonged Activities