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Surgical Options for Runner’s Knee – Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

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If you’re suffering from pain around the front of the knee, patellofemoral syndrome may be the cause. Also commonly known as Runner’s Knee, this pain gradually increases over time and exertion. Teenagers and athletes are prone to patellofemoral pain syndrome in the anterior knee. This arthritic condition results from the wear and tear of fibrous cartilage tissue between kneecap bones being worn away, deteriorated, and inflamed.

Causes of Runner’s Knee

This condition results from repeated abrasion on the surfaces of the patella leading to cartilage damage. Pain and inflammation result from damage to the underside of the patella.

The major causes of this condition:

  • Overuse is repetitive bending and straightening of the knee
  • Misalignment occurs when the patella doesn’t track correctly as the knee is bent and straightened

Symptoms of Runner’s Knee

There are many symptoms of patellofemoral pain syndrome.

Primary symptoms include knee pain when:

  • Sitting with bent knees
  • Jumping
  • Squatting
  • Walking up and downstairs

Accurate Diagnosis of Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

Before surgery can be successful to correct Runner’s Knee, an accurate diagnosis must be made.

Three important elements make up a correct diagnosis:

  • History of pain plus recent activity, duration, and intensity
  • Physical examination including reproducing knee pain and evaluating patella motion, tenderness, alignment, and muscle strength
  • Imaging through X-ray, MRI, or CT scan to examine damage to tissues surrounding the knee and its overall stability

Surgery Options for Runner’s Knee

After conservative, non-surgical treatment has failed to remedy Runner’s Knee pain, surgery with the goal of relieving chronic pain can be performed arthroscopically. This procedure uses instruments inserted through tiny incisions in the kneecap. These instruments remove damaged kneecap cartilage fragments by trimming and smoothing joint surfaces that have become rough and degraded. The kneecap – patella – is then realigned and secured.

Other Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome surgery options:

  • Kneecap alignment. This minor surgical procedure tightens or releases soft tissue around the knee. The position of the kneecap is adjusted to reduce pressure and relieve pain.
  • Knee replacement. Either the damaged cartilage under the kneecap is replaced – or – the entire kneecap is replaced due to severe joint deterioration.

Don’t Delay Treatment for Runner’s Knee

For best surgical results, reach out to Dr. John R. Moore at Pinehurst Surgical in North Carolina by calling 910-295-0224.

Protect Your Joints through the Holidays

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The holiday season is fast approaching and while it will look different this year depending on where you are and how serious the pandemic is, there are steps you can take to make sure that your holiday habits don’t impact your joint health.

Holiday Eating

We all indulge a bit over the holidays, and that’s not a problem, as long as you strive for balance. If you just have to have the gravy, be sure to add in an extra walk that week. If you choose to splurge on Grandma’s homemade pumpkin pie (and you should), try to have a smaller slice or increase your strength training. And instead of a nap after your turkey dinner, enlist your family in a game of basketball or touch football and get moving. The biggest risk to your joint health is sodium intake, because that causes you to retain water, puts extra pressure on your joints, and can increase the amount of pain you are experiencing.

Keep Moving

Our routines tend to get disrupted over the holidays, but if there is any way to maintain your exercise routine – even if you’re doing different activities – it can be good for your joints. Alternatively, if you’re supposed to be staying off your feet as part of your therapy, don’t let holidays be the excuse you use to not take care of yourself. All it may take is one more wrong twist and knee replacement surgery will be how you greet the New Year.

Keep Arthritis Pain at Bay

Being mindful about what you eat, striving for balance, and getting some exercise can all be good for managing your arthritis pain, too. In addition, be sure to stay hydrated and don’t go overboard on the alcohol. You can enjoy the holidays and have a little fun without overdoing it to such an extent that you suffer more.

If your arthritis or joint pain is no longer responding to traditional therapies, you should make an appointment to see Dr. Moore. For More information about, contact our Pinehurst, NC office, call us at (910) 295-0224, or check out our orthopaedic surgery blog.

Patellofemoral Arthritis Pinehurst, NC

The Basics of Patellofemoral Arthritis

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Arthritis can affect just about any part of the body, including the knees. When we see patients with knee arthritis, they tend to experience a lot of pain behind the knee cap, which can make even walking uncomfortable to do. If you think that you or one of your loved ones has this type of arthritis, then it’s helpful to know the basics. Let’s take a closer look at what some of the basics are.

Who Is At Risk of Getting It?

Similar to other types of arthritis, there are several potential risks of patellofemoral arthritis including:

  • Females: Statistics show that women are more commonly affected than men
  • Obesity- Excessive weight can lead to joint degeneration which can cause kneecap arthritis
  • Health problems: Patients with gout, dysplasia, rheumatoid arthritis, and Paget’s disease are more likely to get
  • Repetitive movements: Repetitive movements like standing for sustained amounts of time can lead to osteoarthritis in the knee
  • Age: Most patients who are diagnosed, are over the age of 40
  • Injury: If you have or have had a knee injury, the trauma can lead to arthritis in the knees.

What Are the Symptoms?

Patients with this type of arthritis usually experience knee swelling, pain, irritation, and they hear a crackling sound in their knee joints when they walk.

How Is It Diagnosed?

When patients come in with a variety of symptoms that are indicative of arthritis, we like to run a number of tests. Tests include a comprehensive physical examination, a look at your medical history, MRI’s or CT scans, blood work, and even a lab evaluation.

What Are the Treatments?

Depending on the severity of your arthritis, treatments include:

  • Cortisone Injections
  • Swimming and walking to strengthen the muscles around the knee
  • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication
  • Weight loss and management

Surgery

If you or your loved one have any of the symptoms listed in this article, schedule an appointment with us and call  910.295.0224.