Manhattan Physical Therapists Explain Everything You Need To Know About PFP Syndrome

professional physical therapy for runner's knee in Manhattan, NY
Your leg hurts, mostly at the front of your kneecap, and your doctor tells you that you have runner’s knee. Rest may or may not help. You may have to look at other things in the Manhattan area – something like physical therapy.

So how can physiotherapy help when you suffer from runner’s knee?

What Is a Runner’s Knee?

Just like tennis elbow is not only for people who play tennis, runners are not the only people who suffer from knee problems. Your doctor might diagnose it as patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFP Syndrome). It’s also not a specific injury, there are a variety of things that can fall under the medical definition of runner’s knee.

Don’t worry, Manhattan Physical Therapists explain everything you need to know about PFP Syndrome.

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome: Common Symptoms & Causes

The symptoms of Runner’s Knee include:

  • You have pain around your kneecap when you are walking or running – especially going downhill or walking down steps
  • You also have pain in your kneecaps if you have been sitting around with your knees bent for a while
  • You may hear a clicking sound with your kneecap when you bend your knee
  • You may feel rubbing or grinding around your knee when you bend your knee
  • You may have the cartilage under your knee break down, which is a condition called chondromalacia patella

There are a variety of reasons why you could have this:

  • You run or walk a certain way that causes stress on the knee area – that is, your form is bad
  • Your kneecap is too high in your knee joint or your lower body’s bones don’t line up properly, which then causes a chain reaction of problems
  • You have weak thigh muscles, especially your quadriceps
  • You have tight hamstrings
  • You have tight Achilles tendons
  • Your shoes don’t support your feet, which cause them to roll and move around while walking
  • You overtrain when working on your legs or running, which causes stress on your knees
  • You had an injury like a fall where you hit your knee

Physical Therapy Treatments For Runner’s Knee

First, there are conventional treatments that you can do for this, which includes taking a break from running to let your body heal. You can also apply ice or cold packs to your knee, elevate your leg, put a compress wrap on your leg and take over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen. There are arch supports for your shoes to give more support to your foot while you walk.

You should see a doctor, who will come up with a definitive diagnosis. He or she may then send you to a physical therapist to help you get to a stronger level. There are things that your physical therapist will take into account when coming up with a plan – they include your age, your health, and your current level of pain. Your reaction to different types of medicine and your own opinion also will be considered.

There are a variety of exercises and stretches that your physical therapist may have you do to get you back on track. They include:

  • Quad Stretches

    This is important especially if your thigh muscles are weak

  • Straight Leg Raises

    You can do these to make your quadriceps stronger

  • Hip Strengthening Exercises

    There are a variety of exercises you can do, like bridges

  • Plyometrics

    Here, you will be doing a lot of hopping and jumping on one or two legs

    Athlete suffering from runner's knee pain in Manhattan

  • Balance Exercises

    These can help you walk properly again without your feet rolling around as you do

These are only a few exercises and stretches that you can do. Your Manhattan physical therapist will have you do them both with him or her and also tell you at-home ones to do so you can continue your progress when you are out of the gym or PT center in Manhattan.

Besides physical therapy, you can do other things to improve your body, such as

  • Shedding pounds
  • Doing stretches prior to running
  • Slowly ramping up your activity level to prevent overworking your body and your knees
  • Making sure that you wear good shoes when you go out running
  • Keeping proper running form, which is to lean forward and keep your knees bent.

Call The Most Qualified Physiotherapists In Manhattan, NY

Do you have a runner’s knee? Call the most qualified physiotherapists in Manhattan, NY – Empire Physical Therapy and Pain Management. They can help you recover and get stronger to return to your previous level of walking ability. Make an appointment today to see them at either their Midtown or Wall Street location – 646-665-7109.

 

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Empire Physical Medicine & Pain Management
7 W 45th St floor 9,
New York, NY 10036
Phone: (646) 665-7109
Website: https://manhattanpainrelief.com