Patella femoral (runners knee)

[Sitdowncupoftea]

Anyone had this. I'm after advice from anyone who was diagnosed this. I got a severe pain in my knee about 5 months ago. I dont run but I do hike and do ascents and decents. I was diagnosed over the phone , given exercises via email. I'm still bothered by it now and again. I dont climb hills anymore as when the pain starts on a scale of 1 to 10 its 50 ! The pain does not last long its like a sharp pain at front of knee. I'm wondering if anyone had a cure. I feel let down by NHS and considering going private as its painful and stopping my enjoyment of hiking.

God yes! It's so frustrating. I was very prone to runners knee (diagnosed by physio).

I cured it by resting totally from running for 3 weeks, and in the meantime I did 40 mins of strength every day. YouTube 'best exercises for runners knee', and do them. I use resistance bands and weights for squats.

I still do 20 mins of strength exercises for runners knee every day and I don't even get a twinge when I'm running now, and can manage double the mileage.

Yoga and stretching really helps too. Best of luck :)

(I know you say your pain is from hiking but no reason the initial rest and exercises won't help!)

Thanks I will google. I'm willing to try anything to cure it.

@HapHap Yes runners knee is the term but you don't have to be a runner to get it apparently.

Hi @Sitdowncupoftea

I am so sorry to hear you are suffering with your knee. There are a few different conditions that can cover off anterior knee pain ranging from Chondromalacia patellae (Runners knee), Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome and Patellar Tendinopathy which all have different nuances.

Part of the frustrations with COVID has been the switch to telephone consults as it is very difficult to diagnose these problems just via a phone call. Especially when there are some really good video softwares available. So it is no wonder you are feeling frustrated and disillusioned.

Strengthening and stretching is a good way forward for tackling the issue, however if you have the time / funds I would recommend a rehabilitation therapist consult (this could be a physio, chiro, osteo or graduate sports therapist). When you are selecting a suitable therapist please do look for one that will focus on return to function as opposed to a therapist that only provides symptom management via manual therapy (e.g. massage, mobilisations, manipulations etc).

You will benefit from a detailed diagnosis as well as a bespoke strengthening programme for you.

For the most part rehab therapists are allowed to see clients during lockdown for in person consults where pain / restriction to activities of daily living have been impacted. However we aren't far off lockdown being lifted (in England) so you could always book yourself in for a consult as soon as they open. Whilst virtual (zoom) consults can also work there are certain things that can only be effectively done for diagnostics in person.

Wishing you a speedy recovery,

Joanna

@FollowedMyDreams Thankyou. I feel the same regards a telephone diagnosis too. It did get better with exercises but flared back up. I did not return back to going back to the level of exercise I used to do either. Its flared up again. I questioned as to the telephone diagnosis and im seriously frustrated hence why I wondered what worked for others as it is impacting my life. The pain is horrendous when it starts.

Oh poor you @Sitdowncupoftea. It can definitely be frightening and frustrating when you are feeling like you haven't been heard and that you are no further along than when you started. I have had a lot of client's coming to me in the same position.

The good news is that there are lots of things that can be done to help you but it is important to be clear that there is no magic fix or pill that will make it go away over night. It takes time for the body to heal with the right combination of rehab to help you. However with the right therapist you will come back stronger than before and within a few months this should be a distant memory!

If you let me know what part of the country you are in I can do a bit of research for you to find out who are good therapists in that area. :)

I'd be very wary of any diagnosis for runner's knee, let alone one made by phone. Runner can and do get knee pain but "runner's knee" is far less common than people think and the pain is often caused elsewhere.

IME, whilst the NHS is brilliant for the jg stuff, when you really need them they're really poor for anything musculoskeletal. If you can afford to see someone privately, I'd definitely see a private osteopath.

@BecomeStronger Yes I'm wary of telephone diagnosis but that's how the NHS are working now. My hikes were extreme up and down hill for many miles so it's possible. The NHS are failing many people. I was diagnosed patella femoral which in hikers is not unusual if your up and down fells. However I would rather see someone to get a proper diagnosis and help rather than months of suffering. What are the rough costs to go private ?

My osteopath charges £45 and can sort most things out in one visit, plus exercises to do at home. Money well spent IMO, I'm a 50yo runner and he seems to keep me in working order.

The main difference is he really examines me to establish where the cause of the problem is. I get hip, knee and ankle pain (occasionally, not all the time) but the real cause is usually in my back which he can realign quite easily.

@BecomeStronger thankyou I am going too look for one near me. I don't want to go on an NHS rant but Its no good treating over the telephone.

@FollowedMyDreams I'm looking for an Osteopath could you recommend one North East UK

Hi @Sitdowncupoftea

Happy to help!

But just to be clear, Osteopaths sit on the same spectrum as Physios, Chiros and Graduate Sports Therapists so you are safe to broaden out the search. We are all trained to use the same diagnostic techniques and assessment tools. We are all trained in manual therapy. Everyone should be very thorough in their assessment of any new client. Mostly it’s just down to the person you prefer to be treated by e.g. communication style and special interest areas

For the interests of transparency - I am a Graduate Sports Therapist

If you can give me a town as a location I’ll take a look in the locality for you but there will be thousands of rehab therapists in the North East for you to choose from.

@FollowedMyDreams I've PMd you my nearest towns thankyou.