Patellofemoral syndrome

[NY25]

So, I've been having a ton of knee pain the last couple of weeks and finally went to the doc. Apparently I have patellofemoral syndrome or chondromalacia patella. I'm supposed to not do any impact activities (I can live with that, because KPC is okay with no impact). But, I'm supposed to not do squats or lunges or anything that loads weight onto the knee joint. What the bleep!! A) how can I strengthen my legs - and therefore my knees - without loading them; b) what am I supposed to do for leg work - just floor work? I'm doing STS - I don't care!! I have to go to PT 3 x wk for 6 wks. I just know they're going to tell me stuff I'm not going to want to hear. Just when I get a rhythm going and get excited, this happens. Argh!! Anyone else experience this sydrome?
(oh, and I appear to have done something to my trap doing P90X - I think I tweaked something doing lat pulldowns with the band. So now I can't do upper body either! I can barely open a jug of water without pain). dammit!

 

[kathryn]

> Apparently I have
>patellofemoral syndrome or chondromalacia patella.

Which one is it? They are two different things (CP is a roughening under the kneecap from wear, pattellofemoral pain syndrome is usually a tracking problem)). The treatment protol might be different. The PT will probably do a CP test (pressing down on your kneecap as you move the leg, to check for roughness) to narrow down the exact problem.

For PF, there are usually PT exercises recommended to strengthen the muscles around the knee.

One exercise is called quad sets. Sit on the floor with one knee bent, one leg straight. Flex the quad of the straight leg and keep it flexed as you lift that leg to about 45 degrees. Hold, then lower. Repeat for a set.

As you improve, gradually add ankle weights.

To hit the inner quad a bit more, turn the foot out to about 45 degrees, and hold that position while lifting and lowering.

If even this exercise hurts, you'll have to do a 'remedial' version: Put a folded handtowel under the straight knee, then tense the quad muscle just by pressing down into the towel with the back of the knee.

I know it's frustrating to get injured, but planning to do STS no matter what is really not a good idea (and I'm sure you know it, deep down). Though, if you follow PT, you may be ready for it by the time it comes out.

You might want to post a question to Cathe about this, as she had to go through PT for her knee injury last year (and obviously recovered well). She could give you some motivation and moral support, based on her experience.

 

[NY25]

good idea, kathyrn - I'll do that! thanks!!
and thanks for your pointers, too - I figure that's what they'll tell me, but I'm feeling stubborn, so I'm going to be thinking about squats and lunges and other weight bearing stuff the whole time.
boo hoo

 

[RunninTeach]

I had chondromalacia in college - yeowch! Getting to and from my class on the third floor that semester was torture! One of the PT exercises I had to do was a straight leg lift while wearing an ankle weight. Following the course of treatment and strengthening the muscles around the knees fixed the problem for me. But you really do have to give yourself time to recover. Can you swim or bike in the meantime?

[font face="bradley hand itc" size=+2]~Cathy[/font]

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