What movements occur at the patellofemoral joint?

As a gliding joint, the patella has movement in multiple planes. These motions include superior/inferior glide, medial and lateral glide, medial and lateral tilt, and medial and lateral rotation.

What happens to the patella when the knee moves?

The patella migrates inferiorly as the knee flexes. At 20-30 degrees of knee flexion the patella moves inferiorly, lying in the shallow part of the intercondylar groove, explaining why lateral patella dislocations occur near this range. The patella contacts the femur with its inferior pole.

Why can an increased Q angle cause patellofemoral pain?

Patients with a larger than normal Q angle (greater than 20 degrees) may be more susceptible to patellofemoral pain because the patella has a tendency to track more laterally (to the outside). Pain may be felt more on the outside of the patella and femur because of increased pressure on these contact areas.

What does the patellofemoral joint do?

The patellofemoral joint is where the back of your patella (kneecap) and femur (thigh bone) meet at the front of your knee. It’s involved in climbing, walking on an incline, and several other knee movements. It’s also the joint affected by a common injury called “runner’s knee.”

How do you get patellofemoral syndrome?

Overuse. In many cases, PFPS is caused by vigorous physical activities that put repeated stress on the knee —such as jogging, squatting, and climbing stairs. It can also be caused by a sudden change in physical activity.

Can surgery fix patellofemoral syndrome?

A lateral release to treat patellofemoral pain syndrome is performed when the fibrous bands (retiniculum) attached to the outside part of your kneecap are too tight and pull the kneecap out of position. Surgeons cut this tight structure, allowing the kneecap to move back into its track.

How do you fix patellar instability?

Patellar Instability Treatment Initial dislocations are generally managed non-operatively with rest and often a knee brace and crutches. After a period of rest, Physical Therapy is usually begun to strengthen the muscles in the knee that help keep the kneecap from sliding out of the groove.

How do you fix a knee subluxation?

Nonsurgical treatment includes:

1. RICE (rest, icing, compression, and elevation)
2. nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
3. physical therapy.
4. crutches or a cane to take weight off the knee.
5. braces or casts to immobilize the knee.
6. specialized footwear to decrease pressure on the kneecap.

What is Hoffa’s syndrome?

Hoffa’s fat pad syndrome also called fat pad impingement, infrapatellar fat pad syndrome, and Hoffa’s disease, is a condition characterized by anterior knee pain, pain in the center, and front of your knees, due to inflammation of the Hoffa’s fat pad.

Does patellofemoral syndrome require surgery?

Surgical treatment for patellofemoral pain is very rarely needed and is done only for severe cases that do not respond to nonsurgical treatment. Surgical treatments may include: Arthroscopy. During arthroscopy, your surgeon inserts a small camera, called an arthroscope, into your knee joint.

What happens if patellofemoral goes untreated?

If left untreated, PFPS may cause weakness of your knee. You may have pain with running, cycling, or walking up or down stairs or ramps. The chances of treating PFPS are better when causes are found and treated as soon as possible. Call your caregiver if you have concerns about your condition, medicines, or care.

Will a knee brace help patellofemoral syndrome?

There are a variety of knee braces, arch supports, knee sleeves, knee straps, and kinetic tape on the market that help treat patellofemoral pain syndrome. Wearing a knee brace is a great way to stabilize your kneecap, alleviate patellofemoral pain, and protect against movements that might cause more damage.

How are the congruence angles of the patellofemoral joint determined?

After measuring the tilt angles, the congruence angles are determined. In our modification of Merchant’s technique (18), the femoral sulcus angles are drawn (lines C and D) ( Fig. 4.23) on the same images for which patellar tilt was just determined (if necessary, the previous lines are removed).

How does knee extension affect patellofemoral joint reaction?

From 0 – 46 degrees of knee flexion, patellofemoral joint reaction force was less during the CKC leg press. Conversely, from 50 – 90 degrees of knee flexion, joint reaction forces were lower during the OKC knee extension exercise. Joint reaction forces were minimal at 90 degrees of knee flexion during the knee extension exercise.

How is the patellofemoral joint reaction force calculated?

Patellofemoral joint reaction force, stress, and moments were calculated during both exercises. From 0 – 46 degrees of knee flexion, patellofemoral joint reaction force was less during the CKC leg press. Conversely, from 50 – 90 degrees of knee flexion, joint reaction forces were lower during the OKC knee extension exercise.

What is the congruence angle of knee flexion?

The congruence angle ( Fig. 4.25, angle a) is created by lines E and F and is our preferred index of subluxation (as recommended earlier by Merchant et al [18]). Using CT, we (31) noted that the congruence angle consistently became 0 or negative by 10 degrees of knee flexion in the knees of 10 age‑matched asymptomatic volunteers.