Patellofemoral Joint Pain Treatments

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While it may be painful, patellofemoral joint pain is also one of the more treatable types of joint related pain that there is.

Patellofemoral joint pain affects millions of patients each year. It’s also called runner’s knee and is triggered by the breakdown of cartilage behind the kneecap. When this cartilage deteriorates, the kneecap and the femur may rub against one another or roughen the tendons within the knee. This will lead to serious pain that is often made worse by activity and can even be made worse by simply sitting down for long periods of time.

While it’s a painful, frustrating condition, many patients are happy to discover that among the various joint related issues, patellofemoral joint pain is one of the ones that responds very well to treatments and that is often more manageable than other problems out there. With the right steps you can usually prevent the worsening of the condition and give yourself the chance to escape from the pain, at least to some degree.

There are several treatment options that a physician may recommend for those dealing with this type of joint pain.

• Shoe inserts that actually support one’s arch are often a common treatment. This is because insufficient foot support often triggers the mal-tracking within the knee which leads to this type of pain.
• Physical therapy is often highly successful at improving knee health and reducing the level of pain one experiences as a result of this condition.
• Ice packs are often used to help manage inflammation as it occurs and will help reduce pain, though it is important to allow the knee to warm up again before use.
• Supplements like glucosamine and chondroitin could help to strengthen the cartilage and tendons and prevent the further progression of the problem.
• NSAIDs are usually an option for managing pain and reducing inflammation within the knee as well.
• Often, simple rest will help with recovery of sudden flare ups.
• Switching to lower-impact exercises could be a good idea as well. Swimming is a good replacement for running, for example.
• Surgery is a last option and is one that is rarely used to correct patellofemoral joint pain. This is because it is risky and involves a long recovery period, plus because of the fact that most physical therapy efforts provide the right results without surgery.

If you suffer from this condition, you have numerous options that could help repair damage and get you back on track for a normal, pain free life.