Patellofemoral Pain L1-2: PFP Flashcards
What is patellofemoral pain?
pain arising from the front of the knee (insidious onset)
What are 3 characteristics of patellofemoral pain?
- peripatellar or retropatellar pain
- can be medial, lateral or infrapatellar
- can be localised, or non-specific / vague
What are PFJ aggravating factors?
aggravated by activities that load the PFJ … knee flexion in WB - running, stairs, hills, squatting, sitting
PFJ sometimes has crepitus, or episodes of ___ (subluxation, quads pain inhibition)
giving way
How should PFP be diagnosed?
pain around or behind the patella, which is aggravated by at least one activity that loads the patellofemoral joint during weight bearing on a flexed knee (eg, squatting, stair ambulation, jogging/ running, hopping/jumping).
Additional criteria (not essential):
A. Crepitus or grinding sensation emanating from the patellofemoral joint during knee flexion movements
B. Tenderness on patellar facet palpation
C. Small effusion
D. Pain on sitting, rising on sitting, or straightening the knee following sitting
What are 8 possible local structures can could be potential sources of pain?
- ligament
- meniscus
- tendons
- articular cartilage (not as much- not innervated = less likely source of pain)
- medial/ lateral retinaculum
- subchondral bone
- synovium
- fat pad (highly innervated and good blood supply= source of pain)
Where are possible referred pain areas for PFP?
Differential diagnosis is essential to identify knee pain arising from sources distant to the knee
Most common referral sources are hip joint and lumbar spine
The _____, _______, and _____ caused the most pain. The _____ isn’t innervated, thus cannot be a source of pain. The underlying ______ bone can cause pain.
fat pad; anterior synovium; joint capsule; cartilage; subchondral
Adolescents with PFP may reduce physical activity. What is the effect of that?
may have implications for general & mental health, as well as cartilage health (Also for maintaining muscle strength and tendon quality. Important for maintaining cardiovascular and respiratory health.)
PFP indicates a need for___________ treatments, and treatments that will reduce ______ effectively.
early; pain
Patients with PFP who had early signs of raiographic were the strongest predictor of _______.
future definite OA
What is Grade OA?
No OP
What is Grade 1A?
Doubtful (early preliminary signs of OA): possible osteophytic lipping, doubtful JSN
What is Grade 2A?
Mild: definite osteophytes, possible JSN
What is Grade 3A?
Moderate: moderate multiple osteophytes, definite JSN, some sclerosis, possible bone contour deformity
What is Grade 4A?
Severe: large osteophytes, marked JSN, severe sclerosis, definite bony contour deformity
Based on the OA continuum, what is a pattern that is found with age and prevalence of OA?
Increasing age –> increase prevalence
Since PFP is a strong predictor of PFJ OA, what must be done?
need to intervene early in the disease process
(How do you stop PFP from worsening and becoming OA?- to prevent or delay OA –> total knee replacements)
What are signs of degenerative joint disease?
e.g. radiographic joint space narrowing, osteophytes
why is PF OA a problem? What is the prevalence compared to TF OA? How does OA affect people?
more potent source of symptoms than TFJ
OA tends to occur earlier in life than TFJ
OA structural changes are permanent impact on daily function, quality of life & economic productivity
What happens to patients who have PFJ stress and are unable to adapt to this?
Pain
How does PFJ stress increase? List 2
- Increased magnitude of PFJ force- higher loading activities (eg. jumping, squating)
- Decreased PFJ contact area
Even _______decreases in body weight can substantially reduce PFJ ______during functional activities. Give an example.
small; load
A reduction of weight of just 1 kg, is a reduction of approximately 7-8 kg on the knee.
Quadriceps torque during functional activities:
- Level walking = 0.5 x BW
- Stair climbing = 3-4 x BW
- Squat = 7-8 x BW
_______ atrophy may decrease VMO pennation angle and medial stabilising force.
Quadriceps
_______ strength deficits may be present before PFP onset, and persist, How does that relate to prevalence (and age).
Quadriceps Lower quadriceps strength in older adolescents & adults
There is altered _____ neuromuscular control and how does this affect the patella?
quadriceps; will have a lateral directed force- PFP have a laterally positioned knee Quadriceps dysfunction may be present before PFP onset, and persist
________ onset of ___ vs ____ was a risk factor for PFP development
Delayed; VMO; VL