Friday, September 22, 2006
Are You Weak in the Knees?
Patellofemoral Syndrome (PFS) is more commonly referred to as Runner's Knee. PFS is a softening or wearing away of the tissues and cartilage under the kneecap. This causes the cartilage to crack and fall apart, resulting in intense pain and inflammation of the knee area. The cartilage in the knee actually becomes rough like sandpaper due to the fact that the kneecap does not smoothly move over the knee. There are distinct symptoms of PFS such as: pain around and beneath the knee, a grinding noise that occurs called kneecap crepitus, and swelling of the knee after exercise.
There are many causes of PFS. The main cause is overpronation, which is when your feet rotate too far inward while running, causing the kneecap to twist in irregular positions. Proper tracking of the kneecap is assisted with the quadriceps muscles. Overpronation will cause these muscles to weaken and become tired more easily. The weakness in the quadriceps muscles can cause muscle imbalance, a tight hamstring (a tendon that helps form the borders of the space behind the knee), and a tight iliotibial band (a muscle on the outside of the thigh). Other causes of PFS are: incorrectly worn shoes (too small or loose), wearing old or worn out shoes, and overtraining athletically.
There are many self-treating remedies for PFS. If you develop PFS, you should avoid activities that put extra strain on the knees, keep your feet elevated whenever possible, apply ice to the shin area to prevent inflammation, use anti-inflammatory creams or gels, take minor pain relief medications such as ibuprofen, and when you have no current pain, do quadriceps muscle exercises. If self-treating remedies do not work, consult your doctor, as that surgery may be needed. If you still wish to exercise, do things like swimming that place less strain on the knees.
Vitamin Depot Online.com offers Natural Relief 1222, which is a powerful and safe topical analgesic (applied to the outer surface) that has been shown to be beneficial against the pain associated with inflammatory conditions.
There are many causes of PFS. The main cause is overpronation, which is when your feet rotate too far inward while running, causing the kneecap to twist in irregular positions. Proper tracking of the kneecap is assisted with the quadriceps muscles. Overpronation will cause these muscles to weaken and become tired more easily. The weakness in the quadriceps muscles can cause muscle imbalance, a tight hamstring (a tendon that helps form the borders of the space behind the knee), and a tight iliotibial band (a muscle on the outside of the thigh). Other causes of PFS are: incorrectly worn shoes (too small or loose), wearing old or worn out shoes, and overtraining athletically.
There are many self-treating remedies for PFS. If you develop PFS, you should avoid activities that put extra strain on the knees, keep your feet elevated whenever possible, apply ice to the shin area to prevent inflammation, use anti-inflammatory creams or gels, take minor pain relief medications such as ibuprofen, and when you have no current pain, do quadriceps muscle exercises. If self-treating remedies do not work, consult your doctor, as that surgery may be needed. If you still wish to exercise, do things like swimming that place less strain on the knees.
Vitamin Depot Online.com offers Natural Relief 1222, which is a powerful and safe topical analgesic (applied to the outer surface) that has been shown to be beneficial against the pain associated with inflammatory conditions.
