Patella Femoral Syndrome

Claudette · 10-18-2003, 04:45 AM

For the past 2 years, I have not been able to run because of PFS. For the past 8 months, I have not been able to do leg presses, smith squats, or weighted squats (ball-wall squats only, unweighted) because both of my knees pop like crazy. I just got an MRI done and much to the dismay of myself and my doctor, my meniscus and cartiledge are all intack. We were expecting it to be a lot worse, but I just basically have PFS--where my patella does not stay in place and moves around. This is common among women.

However, I have spent the past two years trying to strengthen the patella through various isolation exercises that my old physical therapist gave me, but now it's beyond recovery b/c the bone that my patella is supposed to sit in has basically been sanded down to where there is no groove at all. I have no idea why this hasn't affected my cartiledge, but apparently it has not.

So here's my question. My legs used to be my best asset and because of the drastic changes, and therefore lack of options in my leg routine, I cannot seem to get them as defined as they used to be. I was told to do some single-leg exercises, but would like some more suggestions on these exercises.

Suggestions from anyone who has delt with PFS or worked with people with PFS would be greatly appreciated. Oh yeah, as far as cardio goes, the only thing I can do is the elliptical and swim. Biking, running (obviously), climbing stairs, rowing--all kill my knees. With that said, any thoughts?

Thanks,
Tracie

Mex · 10-18-2003, 01:01 PM

I don't like single leg exercises, I feel the strain in my back.

I was surprised by how much Tai Chi improved my legs. Due to back injuries I am not comfortable doing traditional leg exercises, but Tai Chi gave them more definition than I achieved with weights.

I developed great legs just doing the traditional 48 form (which takes about 30 minutes), in a very slow manner, and lowering myself as much as I could without losing balance. Maybe it's something to try.

Also, swimmers have very nice legs...

nikegurl · 10-18-2003, 08:03 PM

i had a surgery done called a "lateral release" in laymens terms.

it was quite a few years ago. we tried to avoid it at all costs but i ended up having it done. i did have cartilege damage but not too bad. the surgery just cut my vastus lateralis (sp? sorry)

it was to correct a muscle imbalance that caused my knee cap to track to the side instead of straight.

years later i wish i'd had it done sooner. fast recovery and problem solved. (just my experience and i'm sure yours may be quite different)

good luck!

Claudette · 10-19-2003, 01:31 AM

thanks guys. Nikegurl, what did you do for your recovery? our tracking problem sounds like mine. i was reading last night about pfs lasting people over 10 years unless they got surgery done. unfortunately i don't have insurance. i do get commissioned in the navy in december so maybe then they'll start listening to me when i tell them something is wrong with my knee. (probably not, though).
Max, is 48 form a type of Tai Chi? Do they have tai chi videos? Thank you.
Tracie

pp12345 · 11-09-2005, 04:40 PM

Do NOT use GII Orthotics knee braces. They are expensive and start tearing within weeks. Worst is that their support is not nearly as good as other brands and tend to retain moisture causing great discomfort. Some are so bulky that they do not even fit in jeans.

DOMS · 11-09-2005, 05:02 PM

Do NOT resurrect a two year old thread (for someone who doesn't even come IM anymore) with your first post.

Tough Old Man · 11-09-2005, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cfs3

Do NOT resurrect a two year old thread (for someone who doesn't even come IM anymore) with your first post.

Agree with you somewhat. what I don't agree with you is on your time spand. This person brought something up like this that is over 3 years old not 2.

I'm sure we both agree that "intelligence' is not one of this person's stronger suit

**P-funk** · 11-09-2005, 08:10 PM

patella femoral is a mal-tracking patella. Does your track outward or does it track inward. Once you figure that out you simply stretch it the way that it is tracking (ie, an outward tracking patella will need to have the ITB and TFL stretched.) and work it in the opposite direction of its mal-tracking (ie, if it tracks out ward you need to train your adductors more).

**P-funk** · 11-09-2005, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cfs3

Do NOT resurrect a two year old thread (for someone who doesn't even come IM anymore) with your first post.

just saw this.

10-18-2003, 04:45 AM	#1
Claudette Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: San Diego Posts: 128	Patella Femoral Syndrome For the past 2 years, I have not been able to run because of PFS. For the past 8 months, I have not been able to do leg presses, smith squats, or weighted squats (ball-wall squats only, unweighted) because both of my knees pop like crazy. I just got an MRI done and much to the dismay of myself and my doctor, my meniscus and cartiledge are all intack. We were expecting it to be a lot worse, but I just basically have PFS--where my patella does not stay in place and moves around. This is common among women. However, I have spent the past two years trying to strengthen the patella through various isolation exercises that my old physical therapist gave me, but now it's beyond recovery b/c the bone that my patella is supposed to sit in has basically been sanded down to where there is no groove at all. I have no idea why this hasn't affected my cartiledge, but apparently it has not. So here's my question. My legs used to be my best asset and because of the drastic changes, and therefore lack of options in my leg routine, I cannot seem to get them as defined as they used to be. I was told to do some single-leg exercises, but would like some more suggestions on these exercises. Suggestions from anyone who has delt with PFS or worked with people with PFS would be greatly appreciated. Oh yeah, as far as cardio goes, the only thing I can do is the elliptical and swim. Biking, running (obviously), climbing stairs, rowing--all kill my knees. With that said, any thoughts? Thanks, Tracie

10-18-2003, 08:03 PM	#3
nikegurl Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: LA, CA Posts: 5,641	i had a surgery done called a "lateral release" in laymens terms. it was quite a few years ago. we tried to avoid it at all costs but i ended up having it done. i did have cartilege damage but not too bad. the surgery just cut my vastus lateralis (sp? sorry) it was to correct a muscle imbalance that caused my knee cap to track to the side instead of straight. years later i wish i'd had it done sooner. fast recovery and problem solved. (just my experience and i'm sure yours may be quite different) good luck! If you want to achieve things that others can't... You have to do things that others won't.

11-09-2005, 04:40 PM	#5
pp12345 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 1	Worst knee brace Do NOT use GII Orthotics knee braces. They are expensive and start tearing within weeks. Worst is that their support is not nearly as good as other brands and tend to retain moisture causing great discomfort. Some are so bulky that they do not even fit in jeans.

11-09-2005, 08:10 PM	#8
P-funk Patrick Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: AZ Posts: 31,699	patella femoral is a mal-tracking patella. Does your track outward or does it track inward. Once you figure that out you simply stretch it the way that it is tracking (ie, an outward tracking patella will need to have the ITB and TFL stretched.) and work it in the opposite direction of its mal-tracking (ie, if it tracks out ward you need to train your adductors more). E-Book: Take Charge! Everything You Need To Know To Write Your Own Training Programs Online Consulting/Program Design Reality Based Fitness Podcast Check me out on Twitter! Subscribe to our free monthly newsletter! "In the beginners mind there are many possibilities, in the experts there are few." -Buddha's Little Instruction Book

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10-18-2003, 01:01 PM	#2
Mex Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Take a wild guess, compadre Posts: 122	I don't like single leg exercises, I feel the strain in my back. I was surprised by how much Tai Chi improved my legs. Due to back injuries I am not comfortable doing traditional leg exercises, but Tai Chi gave them more definition than I achieved with weights. I developed great legs just doing the traditional 48 form (which takes about 30 minutes), in a very slow manner, and lowering myself as much as I could without losing balance. Maybe it's something to try. Also, swimmers have very nice legs...

10-19-2003, 01:31 AM	#4
Claudette Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: San Diego Posts: 128	thanks guys. Nikegurl, what did you do for your recovery? our tracking problem sounds like mine. i was reading last night about pfs lasting people over 10 years unless they got surgery done. unfortunately i don't have insurance. i do get commissioned in the navy in december so maybe then they'll start listening to me when i tell them something is wrong with my knee. (probably not, though). Max, is 48 form a type of Tai Chi? Do they have tai chi videos? Thank you. Tracie

11-09-2005, 05:02 PM	#6
DOMS Metrosexual Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 22,092 Photos: 1	Do NOT resurrect a two year old thread (for someone who doesn't even come IM anymore) with your first post.