Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome and Anterior Knee Pain

Patellofemoral Pain SyndromeWith childhood obesity becoming ever more prominent leading to potential medical issues (ex, Cholelithiasis, Eating Disorders) it is wonderful to encourage all of our kids to be more active, but activity and sports have their own potential issues as well.  Previously, we have discussed sport-related, overuse injuries like Little League Shoulder and Osgood Schlatter’s Disease as well as common orthopaedic injuries like Supracondylar Fractures and Shoulder Dislocations.  Let us take a moment to digest a tasty Morsel on another common extremity complaint: Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome.

 

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome: Basics

  • The knee is bears a significant load during all activities.
  • The patella facilitates force of knee extension. [Houghton, 2006]
  • The patella also protects the patellar tendon from friction.
  • Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome is one of the most common causes of anterior knee pain in the primary care arena. [Yin, 2016; Pengel, 2014; Houghton, 2006]
  • Cause is multifactorial and varies between individuals. [Finlayson, 2014; Houghton, 2006]
    • Patellar malaignment
      • Larger Q angles associated with increased static patellofemoral joint stress.
      • Quadricep weakness (especially vestus medialis) also contributes to improper tracking of patella.
    • Mechanical overload of joint
      • Excessively jumping, running, etc.
      • Additionally, hip muscle weakness can increase load on the knee (the hip muscles can absorb up to 25% of the load that occurs during landing).
    • Decreased flexibility.
      • Inflexible muscles/tendons are less able to absorb eccentric loads .
      • Quadriceps, hamstings, hip flexors, gastrocnemius, and other soft tissues of the lower extremities all influence the patellofemoral joint.
    • Regional inflammatory changes.
  • Epidemiology:
    • Affects females > males [Stracciolini, 2014; Houghton, 2006]
    • More commonly seen in adolescents. [Pengel, 2014]
    • May be related to activity, but also seen without specific activity.
    • Can be unilateral or bilateral.

 

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome: Presentation

  • Typically have poorly localized complaint of knee pain (“Knee Grab Sign“). [Pengel, 2014]
    • Dull and achy pain during and after activity. [Houghton, 2006]
    • Worse with weight bearing sports, squatting, or climbing stairs.
    • Also exacerbated upon standing after sitting for awhile.
  • Patient may report a sensation of “giving way,” but there is no joint instability.
    • Occurs with ascending or descending stairs or an incline.
    • Meniscal / ligamentous injury leads to instability and apprehension with pivoting or twisting movements.
  • On exam may have tenderness over:
    • Medial and/or lateral patellar facets
    • Superior and inferior poles of the patella
  • Pain over the physes or joint line is NOT normal for patellofemoral pain. [Houghton, 2006]

 

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome: DDx

  • Always consider the following:
  • The history and exam may be encouraging, but persistent pain warrants consideration for more ominous issues and, thus, images may be warranted.

 

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome: Management

  • Educate and Reassure
    • Do not dismiss as “growing pains.”
    • Generally, gradual improvement and resolution of symptoms can be achieved. [Houghton, 2006]
  • Activity Modification
    • Reduce impact exercises
      • Avoid running and jumping sports.
    • Reduce activities that load the knee
      • Avoid squatting exercises and sports (not good to be a catcher in baseball).
  • Increase Flexibility
    • Particularly hamstrings, quadriceps, iliotibial band, and gastrocnemius.
    • We all could stand to be more flexible (in all aspects of life).
  • Increase Strength
    • Paying attention to appropriate technique to not do more harm!
    • Straight leg raises can strengthen the Quads without placing excessive force on patella. [Ganley, 2006]
    • Water therapy and elliptical trainers can be helpful.
  • Cryotherapy (just like Michael Jordan would do)
  • NSAIDs
  • Corrective orthotics may be helpful in some cases.

 

Moral of the Morsel

  • Appreciate that your words have weight.
    • Even though your exam is reassuring, don’t merely call it a “knee sprain.”
    • Similar to not saying “it’s just a virus.”
  • Consider the potential Badness and look for clues… and don’t freak about about getting a few Xrays.  We are talking about major medical radiation.
  • If you choose not to image, encourage follow-up… and don’t label it as anything…
    • “Knee Pain not otherwise specified” is better than a misdiagnosis of patellofemoral pain syndrome in a kid who eventual gets diagnosed with osteosarcoma.

 

References

Yin AX1, Sugimoto D2, Martin DJ3, Stracciolini A4. Pediatric Dance Injuries: A Cross-Sectional Epidemiological Study. PM R. 2016 Apr;8(4):348-55. PMID: 26318766. [PubMed] [Read by QxMD]

Pengel KB. Common overuse injuries in the young athlete. Pediatr Ann. 2014 Dec;43(12):e297-308. PMID: 25486038. [PubMed] [Read by QxMD]

Finlayson C. Knee injuries in the young athlete. Pediatr Ann. 2014 Dec;43(12):e282-90. PMID: 25486036. [PubMed] [Read by QxMD]

Stracciolini A1, Casciano R, Levey Friedman H, Stein CJ, Meehan WP 3rd, Micheli LJ. Pediatric sports injuries: a comparison of males versus females. Am J Sports Med. 2014 Apr;42(4):965-72. PMID: 24567251. [PubMed] [Read by QxMD]

Houghton KM1. Review for the generalist: evaluation of anterior knee pain. Pediatr Rheumatol Online J. 2007 May 4;5:8. PMID: 17550634. [PubMed] [Read by QxMD]

Ganley TJ1, Gaugles RL, Moroz LA. Consultation with the specialist: patellofemoral conditions in childhood. Pediatr Rev. 2006 Jul;27(7):264-9; quiz 270. PMID: 16815995. [PubMed] [Read by QxMD]
Sean M. Fox
Sean M. Fox

I enjoy taking care of patients and I finding it endlessly rewarding to help train others to do the same. I trained at the Combined Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics residency program at University of Maryland, where I had the tremendous fortune of learning from world renowned educators and clinicians. Now I have the unbelievable honor of working with an unbelievably gifted group of practitioners at Carolinas Medical Center. I strive every day to inspire my residents as much as they inspire me.

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