What is Runners Knee (Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome)?
The patella (knee cap) lies in a groove on the front of the femur, just above the knee joint. This groove is called the Trochlear Groove. Normally, when walking or running the patella moves up and down this groove vertically, with no sideways motion (just like an elevator moves). Pain occurs when the patella is not tracking vertically in this groove, but is pulled sideways. This will cause the cartilage on the undersurface of the patella, and the cartilage in the Trochlear Groove to rub abnormally against each other, producing pain. If left untreated, the cartilage that is subjected to this excessive rubbing will become permanently damaged, and begin to deteriorate and break down. This condition is known as chondromalacia and can become permanent, since damaged cartilage cannot usually repair itself.
