Patella Femoral Syndrome Rehab: Are
you on the right track?
Patella femoral syndrome
rehab is extremely common in sports medicine and physical therapy
clinics. I always have at least one patient that I am treating for
patella femoral problems.
One of the reasons for this is because there are so many different
causes of PFS.
From
biomechanics and structural problems, flexibility, mobility, strength,
and balance, there are many factors that must be addressed during
patella femoral syndrome rehab.
Many times one or
more areas can be overlooked. As clinicians, we sometimes focus in on
one specific joint, or one specific deficit, and fail to see the entire
picture. This can mean neglecting the hips, or overlooked biomechanical
issues at the feet.
To help you make sure that
your rehab is on the
right track, I have included specific areas that your rehab should be
addressing. This will help guide you in your rehab, as well as make
sure that your
athletic trainer or physical
therapist is not
overlooking a key component.
Biomechanics
One
of the easiest things to fix with patella femoral syndrome is faulty
foot mechanics. A thorough evaluation of your gait cycle and foot
structure should be completed. This will give your ATC or PT a good
idea of how your feet may be affecting your knee.
Treating
foot
mechanic problems is usually done with some type of orthotic, or shoe
insert. Overpronation is the most common thing that I see with my
patients, and orthotics make a huge difference in their knee pain. Ask
about your foot mechanics if they have not been evaluated.
Strength
Quadriceps
strength is the primary focus for many clinicians during
patella
femoral syndrome rehab. While quadriceps strength is important, it
should take a back seat to hip abductor and external rotator strength,
as well as hamstring and gluteus strength.
These
muscles are in a much
better position to control knee motion and prevent knee pain. Make sure
that your rehab involves some type of exercises to improve hip and core
strengthening.
Mobility
Good
mobility in the lower extremity is essential for normal function.
Mobility and range of motion at the knee is always assessed. However,
mobility restrictions at the foot and ankle, as well as at the hips and
lower back can contribute to PFS. Make sure that
your low back, hip, ankle and foot mobility are evaluated. Very small
deficits can have a huge impact on your knee pain.
Improving mobility is a major
focus of patella femoral rehab.
Lateral
trunk flexion, hip rotation and extension, and ankle plantarflexion,
dorsiflexion, and calcaneal eversion are the most commonly overlooked
areas.
Balance
Balance is key
to lower extremity function. As a part of
proprioception, it helps
improve the communciation between the muscles and the joints, allowing
the body to be more efficient. Poor balance and proprioception will
often contribute to patella femoral syndrome. Make sure that your rehab
program is addressing balance deficits, and challenging your balance in
multiple planes.
A Complete Program for PFS
Traditional rehab programs for patella femoral syndrome often focuses directly on the knee and the quadriceps. If you have been
through a program like this, I will ask you, did your knee get better? If it did, then you are one of the lucky few. Most people fail
to see much improvements with a traditional program.
The key is finding the BEST exercises to strengthen the hips and the core, improve mobility, and balance and muscle control in the areas
that need it the most. I have been very successful treating patients with PFS, and I have found the most effective exercises for eliminating knee
pain over the last 10 years.
For a complete program to treat patella femoral syndrome, you need a mobility, strengthening and balance
exercises to address all of the different problems. I offer all of these in a comprehensive patella femoral rehabilitation program called
Patella Femoral Solutions.
If you are suffering from knee pain, this is the answer you are looking for. It will walk you step by step through the BEST exercises
to treat your knee pain. Imagine a life without pain when you play sports, walk up the stairs, or stand for too long. It is possible.
Summary
A
complete and comprehensive patella femoral syndrome rehab program
should incorporate all of the above areas. If just one area is
overlooked, it can mean the difference between a successful recovery
versus a possibly unnecessary surgical procedure. Take the time to talk
with your ATC or PT and discuss every possible contributing factor in
your knee pain. It will help get you off the sidelines faster.
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