Anterior Knee Pain

If you run, jump, play soccer, bicycle or ski, you've probably experienced some knee pain, especially in the front of the knee. Anytime we put a lot of stress on the knee, chances are it will hurt. That's called anterior knee pain, or runner's knee.

Causes

• When the kneecap gets out of alignment with the muscles or the tendons, ligaments or other connective tissues in the leg that make the knee work, pain usually ensues. The misalignment can mean the kneecap is rubbing against another bone or tendons, ligaments or other connective tissues. There are several other specific reasons for anterior knee pain including arthritis; cartilage injury; softening of the cartilage underneath the kneecap; tendonitis; pinching of the inner lining of the knee; and flat feet.

Symptoms

• Some of the symptoms of anterior knee pain are pain below and on either side of the kneecap. This pain is worse after doing deep knee bends or after sitting with the knee bent for a long time. Pain can also flare up when walking, going up and down stairs, kneeling or squatting. Priests sometimes develop anterior knee pain because of all the kneeling they do. Athletes such as football and basketball players and runners also develop anterior knee pain.

Diagnosis

• To correctly diagnose the cause of anterior knee pain, the doctor will perform a complete exam on the knee, which will probably include a few exercises like walking or squatting. The doctor may also check the alignment of the entire leg, the hip, and the strength of the muscles and tendons of the leg and knee. Other diagnostic tools the doctor might use are X-rays, MRI or CT scan.

Treatment

• Treatment for anterior knee pain generally doesn't require surgery, just some TLC and time. The RICE formula also comes into play here---rest, ice, compression and elevation. Rest means avoiding strenuous activities and not putting excessive weight on the knee. Ice means just that---putting ice on the knee to help relieve pain and inflammation. Compression generally involves some sort of elastic bandage or knee brace. And elevation means keep the knee raised higher than your heart, usually by lying down. Taping the knee or special shoe inserts can sometimes help.

Surgical Treatment

• If the doctor determines that surgery is needed, there are two ways to help get the knee back in shape. Arthroscopy is non-invasive and allows the surgeon to remove any damaged kneecap cartilage. This is a common surgery for professional athletes like football or basketball players. Realignment is invasive and calls for the doctor to open the knee and realign the kneecap.