United Kingdom
Not a very common condition but when people get it, it's often subjected to poor diagnosis from surgeons and thus poor treatment.
What exactly is PFPS? (Patello-Femoral Pain Syndrome)
When you think about it what exactly does this diagnosis tell you? Essentially all that this means is we know there is pain and we know it has something to do with the Patella-Femoral Joint. In my opinion this is not a real diagnosis. What if we made clinical conclusions like this for everything? Chronic Neck Pain Syndrome or Sore Elbow Disease?
In reality, PFPS is an umbrella term to describe any possible causes of pain which can be attributed to the Patella-Femoral Joint.
Such as:
- Chondromalacia Patella - Softening of the cartilage under the patella
- PatellaFemoral tracking problems
- Infrapatellar Fat Pad being impinged (Hoffa's Disease)] (see next post)
WHAT EXACTLY IS CAUSING THIS PAIN?
Originally many used to take a structural approach to PFPS. Measurements of one's Q angle or a patient's knee valgus was observed and often chondromalacia patella was diagnosed. However, if structural abnormalities were deemed the cause how does one explain the benefits from conservative treatment? The patients Q angle has not changed. Furthermore, not everyone with a high Q angle has knee problems?
Researchers are starting to progress away from the structural approach of PFPS and asking what is actually causing the pain?
A biomechanical fault, muscle imbalance or patho-physiological process which leads to:
To fully understand you have to address the signs and symptoms
PFPS can be exaggerated with running and climbing up and down stairs. This mechanism of injury is simply due to overuse or excessive force. Such activities as climbing stairs can produce forces 3 times one's body weight. A loss of Tissue Homeostasis occurs and now the joint’s synovial lining becomes inflamed. This concept is a pretty easy one to understand.
Reasoning for all these causes of pain has produced the popular treatment called McConnell taping.
This is a taping method which has been shown to relieve pain. However, the results are not always consistent and many wonder why. It can be purposed that by taping the patella in a more neutral position we are preventing it from impinging structures and thus resolving the patient's pain.
Lastly a maltracking patella has also been associated with PFPS. What studies have observed is anatomically those who suffer from PFPS have a hyperinnervated (very inward folded) lateral retinaculum (a membrane in the knee). Furthermore, these subjects presented with more hypersensitive fibers within the nerves. The theory is the patella tracking medially (usually) will produce tension along the lateral retinaculum. Now the nerves are put under traction and start to experience myxoid (phlegm-like) degeneration. In an attempt to heal itself the body produces more neural drive and stimulation to that area thus creating a hyperinnervated structure and pain is produced.
Conclusion
In summary, as professionals we need to steer away from umbrella terms such as PFPS. This diagnosis is extremely confusing and so very difficult to explain to patients. To create consistency in research, we need to address the actual form of PFPS we are discussing. In addition, exploring this notion lays great premise on how we can guide our treatment. This is one condition where the diagnosis may actually be made after treatment is initiated.
What exactly is PFPS? (Patello-Femoral Pain Syndrome)
When you think about it what exactly does this diagnosis tell you? Essentially all that this means is we know there is pain and we know it has something to do with the Patella-Femoral Joint. In my opinion this is not a real diagnosis. What if we made clinical conclusions like this for everything? Chronic Neck Pain Syndrome or Sore Elbow Disease?
In reality, PFPS is an umbrella term to describe any possible causes of pain which can be attributed to the Patella-Femoral Joint.
Such as:
- Chondromalacia Patella - Softening of the cartilage under the patella
- PatellaFemoral tracking problems
- Infrapatellar Fat Pad being impinged (Hoffa's Disease)] (see next post)
WHAT EXACTLY IS CAUSING THIS PAIN?
Originally many used to take a structural approach to PFPS. Measurements of one's Q angle or a patient's knee valgus was observed and often chondromalacia patella was diagnosed. However, if structural abnormalities were deemed the cause how does one explain the benefits from conservative treatment? The patients Q angle has not changed. Furthermore, not everyone with a high Q angle has knee problems?
Researchers are starting to progress away from the structural approach of PFPS and asking what is actually causing the pain?
A biomechanical fault, muscle imbalance or patho-physiological process which leads to:
1. Inflammation of the synovial lining
2. Inflammation of the fat pad
3. Increase in intra articular pressure
4. Hyperinnervated (folded in) Lateral Retinaculum
2. Inflammation of the fat pad
3. Increase in intra articular pressure
4. Hyperinnervated (folded in) Lateral Retinaculum
To fully understand you have to address the signs and symptoms
PFPS can be exaggerated with running and climbing up and down stairs. This mechanism of injury is simply due to overuse or excessive force. Such activities as climbing stairs can produce forces 3 times one's body weight. A loss of Tissue Homeostasis occurs and now the joint’s synovial lining becomes inflamed. This concept is a pretty easy one to understand.
Reasoning for all these causes of pain has produced the popular treatment called McConnell taping.
This is a taping method which has been shown to relieve pain. However, the results are not always consistent and many wonder why. It can be purposed that by taping the patella in a more neutral position we are preventing it from impinging structures and thus resolving the patient's pain.
Lastly a maltracking patella has also been associated with PFPS. What studies have observed is anatomically those who suffer from PFPS have a hyperinnervated (very inward folded) lateral retinaculum (a membrane in the knee). Furthermore, these subjects presented with more hypersensitive fibers within the nerves. The theory is the patella tracking medially (usually) will produce tension along the lateral retinaculum. Now the nerves are put under traction and start to experience myxoid (phlegm-like) degeneration. In an attempt to heal itself the body produces more neural drive and stimulation to that area thus creating a hyperinnervated structure and pain is produced.
Conclusion
In summary, as professionals we need to steer away from umbrella terms such as PFPS. This diagnosis is extremely confusing and so very difficult to explain to patients. To create consistency in research, we need to address the actual form of PFPS we are discussing. In addition, exploring this notion lays great premise on how we can guide our treatment. This is one condition where the diagnosis may actually be made after treatment is initiated.
