Tilting of the patella that leads to abnormal contact pressures Joint Pain Hack Review can be appreciated. If instability of the kneecap is suspected, CT scan can help to determine abnormalities in alignment and position. MRI is useful to evaluate for softening or injury to the cartilage on the kneecap and femur. The first line of treatment for "runner's knee" is typically nonoperative. Recommendations include: Stop running, jumping, or any of the activities that cause pain in the knee.
Even though it is difficult, the athlete must refrain from competition until he/she is pain-free. Fortunately, low-impact activities such as swimming or cycling can allow the athlete to maintain their aerobic fitness while protecting the patellofemoral joint. Avoid running down hills or down steep slopes or stairs that increase pressure on the kneecap. Ice and anti-inflammatory medications can certainly help to relieve the pain in the front of the knee.
In certain cases, taping of the kneecap ("McConnell taping") or use of stabilizing braces for the kneecap can help. These are particularly useful in the setting of instability of the kneecap. If the athlete has flat feet ("pronation"), orthotic inserts to reconstitute the arch can be extremely useful to alleviate symptoms. When the knee is pain-free, a course of rehabilitation for range-of-motion of the knee and strengthening of the quadriceps and vastus medialis muscle may be useful.