Patellofemoral Syndrome in Manhattan, NY

Patellofemoral syndrome or  patellofemoral chondromalacia is the most common cause of chronic knee pain. It is the abnormal softening of the cartilage of the underside of the kneecap. Patellofemoral syndrome results from the degeneration of cartilage from poor alignment of the kneecap as it slides over the lower end of the thigh bone (femur). This pain is aggravated by prolonged sitting with bent knees.

Patellofemoral syndrome occurs when the undersurface of the kneecap comes in contact with the thigh bone. This causes swelling and pain. Usually, improper kneecap movement is the cause for patellofemoral syndrome such as poor alignment from a congenital condition, weak hamstrings, direct trauma to your kneecap, repeated stress to your knee joints, and muscle imbalance.

The most prominent symptom of patellofemoral syndrome is pain in the knee region. You may also sometimes feel a grinding or cracking when the knee is bent or extended. The pain may also worsen when sitting for a prolonged period of time or when performing activities where pressure is applied to the knees, such as exercise.

The most effective treatment begins with extensive diagnostic evaluation. From here, your provider will develop a personalized treatment plan that would best treat your injury. Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) injections and bone marrow concentrate injections (containing autologous stem cells) are some non-invasive treatment options for your patellofemoral syndrome.

If you have been diagnosed with or suspect patellofemoral syndrome or have symptoms that may be related to the patella, contact our medical team at Ospina Medical and ask about our Regenexx regenerative medicine treatment options. We offer advanced treatments at our office in Midtown Manhattan in New York City.