What Is Knee Patellofemoral Pain?
Patellofemoral pain affects the kneecap (patella). According to FamilyDoctor.org, the precise cause of the condition remains unknown, but it is probably related to how the patella interacts with the femur.
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Location
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Patellofemoral pain may occur behind or around the kneecap, and it may appear in either or both legs, according to American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP).
Features
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Patellofemoral pain may increase with physical activity like running, descending or ascending stairs and after sitting for a long time.
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Significance
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Patellofemoral pain is the most common diagnosis of knee pain among outpatients and is a common problem for runners and other athletes.
Treatment
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The recommended treatments for patellofemoral pain include icing the knee, changing activities that exacerbate the condition, physical therapy, taping the area and using insoles, according to the AAFP.
Considerations
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Surgery is only needed rarely for the treatment of patellofemoral pain, according to the AAFP. Some people may need to be treated for an extended period of time using a variety of techniques in order to find relief.
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