Knee pain has many causes and your knee treatment varies considerably depending on an accurate diagnosis. Treatment can involve simple knee mobilisation techniques, massage, taping, stretches or strengthening exercises all the way through to a thorough rehabilitation protocol post-knee reconstruction or knee replacement.
Patellar Tracking Disorder
This is a specific type of knee pain where there is an imbalance in the quadriceps causing the kneecap (patella) to shift or tilt out of place as the leg bends or straightens. Symptoms include a dull ache under or around the kneecap, or a popping, grinding, slipping, or catching sensation in the kneecap as the knee bends or extends. Other symptoms of a patellar tracking disorder include swelling of the knee or a buckling or “giving way” of the knee, where the knee suddenly fails to support your body weight. A patellar tracking disorder may be caused by a combination of things, including:
- Weak thigh muscles (quadriceps)
- Tendons, ligaments, or muscles in the leg that are too tight
- Engaging in activities that repeatedly stress the knee
- A traumatic injury to the knee, or a history of knee injury
- Excessive weight
How can Muscle Freedom help?
To successfully treat patellar tracking disorder, we need to isolate which muscles in the quadriceps are too tight and if any are too weak. Releasing either the Vastus Lateralis, Rectus Femorus or the Vastus Medialis will allow the patella to sit correctly. Your therapist at Muscle Freedom will give you stretches and exercises to help in the recovery stage of your injury.
