03/08/2025
🦵 Knee pain when going up stairs?
🚶♀️ Aching during or after a run?
🪑 Pain after sitting for too long?
You might be dealing with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS).
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome - often called “runner’s knee” - refers to pain around or behind the kneecap (patella). It happens when the patella doesn’t track properly in the groove of the thigh bone (femur), causing irritation of the surrounding tissues.
It’s not limited to runners - we also see it in office workers, teenagers, gym-goers, and postpartum women!
🔍 Common Symptoms:
• Diffuse, aching pain around or behind the kneecap
• Worse with stairs (especially going down), squatting, kneeling, or running
• Discomfort after sitting for long periods
• Clicking or grinding sensation
• Pain usually comes on gradually - no obvious injury
Why does it happen?
It’s often due to overuse, muscle imbalance or poor alignment of the hip, knee, or foot and is more common in females.
What can be done?
Luckily, our physios have great experience working with PFPS! So if this sounds like your knee, call or book in for an assessment and management plan, and get back to doing the things you love without pain.
