Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Knee news

Diagnosis:

"Patello-Femoral Syndrome - a condition caused by the patella not tracking properly. The patella normally rides in a groove on the femur. The patella is really a fulcrum - it gives leverage to the quadriceps. The quads are so named because they consist of four muscles. With PFS, you get an imbalance in these muscles - usually the lateral or outside muscle over-powers the inner medial muscle - and this pulls the patella out of it's normal groove. When the patella doesn't track properly in it's groove, it causes pain under the patella."

Suggested Treatment:

* Physical therapy to balance the quad muscles and realign knee tracking.
* Cortisone injections.

Short-term:

It's okay to run as long as it doesn't hurt. Don't be surprised if pain returns with running because the underlying condition is still present until treatment is completed.

30 comments:

  1. I am glad the knee held out of the track workout. Plus now there is adiagnosis and a treatment plan. I hope the knee will hold out till the 1/2 and the therapy and cortisone shots help a plenty.

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  2. Yay for an answer and a plan. Hope the knee continues to hold out for you and that the prescribed treatments work quickly.

    MCM Mama

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  3. I've heard it repeated lotsa times that imbalances are most often the culprit of knee issues. Knowing is 90% of the battle!!!

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  4. Oh yuck. Glad to hear you are still able to run, as long as there is no pain. Take it easy, chica! Strengthen those muscles! :)

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  5. I'm glad to hear we know what is causing the pain. Lets get those muscles stronger and I hope the running is pain free!

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  6. It must feel good to know what's going on. Hope you continue to run pain-free and that you return to full health soon.

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  7. Did the doctor also suggest one of those knee braces to try and stabilize the patella for when you do run? That seems like it could be helpful and I know lots of runners use them.

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  8. I'm glad you got some answers :-) Lets hope that baby holds out til the half! ;D ;D

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  9. I bet it feels good to finally know what's going on, and what you can do about it.

    Get your treatment started, and get better!

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  10. That is my exact diagnosis! PT did wonders for me. Not only did we do a bunch of strengthening stuff, but they taught me a way to tape the knee cap into place that has seemed to help too.

    Thanks for putting the exact definition up there. It's nice to know that my problem had an actually diagnosis!

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  11. Hi Lisa,

    Nice and easy...what does PT to balance quad and realign knee tracking mean?

    Is that strength exercise?

    My previous exp with knee pain is my left quad was too weak. It was more of a fluke as I read it somewhere and started to work on my left quad.

    And sure enough, the knee pain went away.

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  12. Well at least you have a diagnosis. It's all going to get better from here I expect (and hope).

    As for running, it's just pain management instead of worsening a problem. Bonus!

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  13. I'm glad you kept this appt. and got some answers. Hope the knee holds up :-)

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  14. Lisa, glad you know what is wrong but please make sure to take care!! You need your knee!! :O)

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  15. At least you now know and at least you can still run. If you do all of the treatment, I'm sure you will be running like a chased bunny in no time.

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  16. nowthat you know...you can have a plan of action..

    same thing bothers the bride and therapy and lifting help...just listen to the knee...
    good luck

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  17. I know it's painful, but the good news is that it can be fixed quite easily through PT stretching and stregthening.

    Are you still shooting for the half mary?

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  18. Good news. Knowing the problem is half the battle. Now you can work on a plan - like the getting the PT you need. Good luck.

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  19. I had physical therapy for this when I first started running. I can tell you all the exercises and you will be on your way. :>) Glad it's something you can work through!

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  20. Definitely good that there's something you can start doing for it!

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  21. Good to hear it's nothing worse! You should be able to easily treat that

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  22. Ack. Daunting. But hopeful too, coz there's plan now (and you know how keen I am on a Plan). HUGS while you process this ((HUGS))

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  23. Hey, girl. Ouch! Sounds painful. My two cents... I had a cortisone injection in my ankle when I was in high school (although I was totally against it). It hurt like hell and didn't do a thing. (Not to scare you off if you were considering it. Everyone is different and responds differently to treatments.) ;)

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  24. The diagnosis is a big step forward. Hope the treatment helps soon. Take care!

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  25. Oh dear!! Wouldn't it be nice to just not have knee problems.
    But diagnosis and a plan is good.
    Best wishes.

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  26. It's always good to know what's going on even if the news are not that great.

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  27. Go for therapy, stay away from cortisone!! Just my opion of course.

    ;^)

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  28. That sucks but there is treatment...I am a yes on the corisone as that is what i am doing for my back..

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  29. Good luck with the treatment.

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  30. Have you tried a patella strap?

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