Bilateral Patellofemoral Syndrome

Bilateral Patellofemoral Syndrome (BPS) is one of the most common knee problems. It is characterized by pain felt under and around the kneecap. The pain tends to worsen when the sufferer is active or sits for long periods of time.

Facts

• When the knee bends and extends, the patella slides along a groove in the femoral bone. Occasionally, the patella will slip out of the groove and rub along the sharp edges of the groove. This causes roughness and scratching of the cartilage on the underside of the patella, making knee movements painful.

Causes

• The exact cause of BPS is unknown because it tends to be different for each sufferer. Some speculate it may result from trauma to the knee, such as a fall. The syndrome can be exacerbated by weak or unbalanced quadriceps muscles.

Features

• Sufferers of BPS may exhibit vague knee pain that is difficult to localize, as well as swelling and pain when walking down stairs. The knee may also feel rigid, give out on occasion, and grind or crunch when squatting.

Identification

• Doctors diagnose BPS using x-rays to determine patellar alignment and MRI scans to see if there is soft tissue damage. As a last resort, they may look at the knee joint and the condition of the underside of the patella using arthroscopy.

Treatment

• Recommended treatments for BPS include icing the knee after activity, taking anti-inflammatory medications and taking a break from the physical activities that cause pounding on the knee joint. Other recommendations include physical therapy, corrective footwear and taping the knee.

Considerations

• The timely diagnosis and treatment of BPS may prevent chronic knee problems.