Managing Anterior Knee Pain and Holiday Dips in Office Visits

Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS), also known as “runner’s knee,” is a common condition that causes discomfort, swelling, and crepitus in the knee. It can be caused by trauma or imbalanced forces on the joint, and is often the result of muscular imbalances and excessive stress on the knee. PFPS is the most common cause of knee pain, affecting around 25% of adults and potentially as many as 10% of young athletes. It is often related to lateral tracking of the patella, which can be caused by imbalances in the stabilizing muscles of the lower extremity, as well as factors such as flat feet, hip and foot alignment, and weakness in the gluteus medius muscle. Other risk factors for PFPS include joint overload or overuse, trauma, tight lateral knee capsule, patellar hypermobility, and muscle imbalances, particularly in the quadriceps or iliotibial band. Loss of core stability is also a risk factor. Chiropractic treatment may include manual therapy, exercises to strengthen the muscles around the knee, and the use of orthotics or other supportive devices.