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Patellofemoral Compression Syndrome Exercises

Patellofemoral Compression Syndrome (PCS) is a common ailment, affecting every age group. PCS is very similar to Patellofermoral Pain Syndrome (PPS), except that patients with PCS often have softened cartilage under the kneecap, whereas patients with PPS generally have pain associated with rubbing between the patella (kneecap) and the femur (thigh bone).

  1. What is Patellofemoral Compression Syndrome?

    • PCS is a joint condition where the cartilage of the knee is softened. Unlike PPS, the pain associated with PCS can be in several locations, including anterior knee pain, posterior knee pain, overall knee pain or combinations of locations. The pain associated with PCS can be sharp or dull, even achy at times, and shooting throughout the knee cap. Some patients notice a burning sensation in the knee area, in conjunction with knee pain. PCS can be the result of a genetic predisposition, trauma to the knee area or overuse of the knee joint, due to extreme activities, like running.

    Why Do Exercises For PCS?

    • Patients with PCS need to strengthen the muscles surrounding the affected area, to increase the stability of the joints. If the muscles are lax, there is no foundation in which the joint can rely upon for alignment. Weak muscles cannot stabilize joints, and can cause injury. With PCS, patients need to focus on strengthening the quadriceps, the hamstrings and the hip muscles. By ensuring that these muscles are strong, the knee joint can rely on them for proper alignment. Patients with PCS need to strengthen the muscles surrounding the affected area, to increase the stability of the joints.

    Squats for PCS

    • The most common exercise prescribed by doctors and used by physical therapists is the squat. The squat utilizes the connection between the ankle, knee and hip joints by getting them to work together within an exercise. When a patient squats, the muscles of the ankle, knee and hip must work in coordination to stabilize the body. This helps strengthen all muscles involved, while stabilizing the joints. When the muscles are strong, they are more apt to keep the joints in position, resulting in less pain and compression in the knee joint. Squats can be performed with or without weight or resistance, depending on the level of fitness of the patient.

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