What is Kneecap Pain?
Kneecap pain can be felt from:
- Inside the kneecap
- Tenderness around the kneecap (patella)
- At the edge or under the kneecap
- And be aggravated by activity
Kneecap pain can be felt when rising or straightening the knee after sitting.
Knee Pain or Muscle Pain?
Knee pain can originate from:
- Knee joint
- Connecting knee tendons
- Muscles around the knee
Causes of Kneecap Pain From the Knee Joint
Pain in the knee joint can be caused by:
- Meniscus Pain - A Torn Meniscus may go unnoticed by some patients, but a meniscus tear (meniscal cartilage), can cause pain, swelling, or locking.
- Joint Cartilage Pain - Damage to the knee joint cartilage (articular cartilage) caused by wearing away or torn through trauma can cause pain and lead to arthritis. Less cartilage can also mean swelling, which usually causes low to mid-level aching and stiffness. Other injuries to the undersurface of the kneecap or the cartilage in the femur grove (trochlear groove) can also cause pain and arthritis. This can give rise to cracking or popping during knee movement.
- Anterior Cruciate Ligament Pain - Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) is a major stabilizer of front-back motion of the two knee bones. It can become stretched without being fully torn, leading to a chronically unstable knee. This extra motion can lead to pain, swelling, meniscus damage, or arthritis.
- Collateral Ligaments Pain - the Collateral Ligaments are the “duct tape” that hold the sides of the knee joint together. The Meniscal Cruciate Ligament (MCL) or Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL) can be stretched without being fully torn or broken which can lead to instability in the knee. This extra movement can cause damage to the structures inside the knee.
Other kneecap pain can be associated with fluid build up in the knee.
Causes of Kneecap Pain From the Tendons
Pain associated with the tendons supporting the knee can cause pain.
Tendons are the fibrous ends of muscles that attach to bones. Around the knee, they can become chronically tender, swollen and painful.
The patellar tendon is at the end of the quadriceps muscle which contains the knee cap. When the quadriceps get overloaded through trigger points (muscular knots), muscular weakness, or excessive trauma. Any of these tendon conditions can become chronically swollen and painful.
Causes of Kneecap Pain From the Muscles
Muscles can develop trigger points which are areas that are painful and weak. These trigger points are often felt as “knots” or bands that when pressed, cause pain elsewhere.
Trigger points in the quadriceps muscle can refer pain to the knee. In addition, these tight and weak areas can cause the kneecap to get overloaded leading to patella misalignment and the patellofemoral syndrome.
Weakness or knots of the Inner quadricep muscles can also allow the kneecap to move too far outward.
Too much pulling on one side can also cause kneecap misalignment.
Diagnosis of Kneecap Pain
Pain around and behind the patella (kneecap), aggravated by at least one activity that loads the patellofemoral joint during weight bearing on a flexed knee
- Squatting
- Walking Up Stairs
- Running
- Jumping
80% of kneecap pain can be felt by squatting
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
Pain around the kneecap with no noticeable injury or swelling could be Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome. The pain can arise from the thining of the cartilage under the kneecap
Managing Kneecap pain at home by
- Icing the affected area
- Strengthen hip and core to improve overall knee mechanics
- Stretch your quads and hip flexors to improve the range of motion
Your Next Step
If you have any symptoms relating to knee pain you may require further investigation. We would advise that you see your general practitioner and possibly obtain a referral to see Dr Austin Vo.
Dr Vo can offer specialised help and advice on a possible diagnosis, further investigations and suitable treatment. Contact his rooms at melbourneshoulderandknee.com.au