The patella is the central bone
of the knee, works well when positioned correctly centered, circulating between
femur and tibia in the development of the stride. If not properly aligned, it
deviates to one side or the other causing joint irritation that may even erode
the cartilage leading to patellar chondropathy. The main symptom is anterior back of knee pain, which is one of the most frequent complaints of athletes involved
in endurance sports. If the remains pronated ankle during stance phase average
walking or running movement, excessive pronation prevents the tibia (leg) to
develop its regular rotation. This has an impact on the knee and femur (thigh),
as the latter rotates the tibia internally to provide adequate rotation needed
for the extension in stride. Since the foot is fixed on the ground during
stance phase medium, we obtain a fitting of the knee joint in which it is
"compressed".
The problem of tendonitis of the
knee, as well as other important diseases knee, one of the main causes is
called syndrome "misalignment" of the joint structures which occurs
when there is excessive lateral forces which vectors carrying semiluxación of
the patella and its consequent early wear varnish brush, cartilage. Pronation
few degrees of this little extra compensation causing knee will not cause
symptoms, it patellofemoral compressive (patella on femur) is small. But large
structural deviations end up giving irritation of the cartilage and ligaments,
and finally anterior back of knee pain.
The classic rest and
anti-inflammatory treatment is insufficient to eradicate this anterior back of
knee pain because, as we have seen. The solution is to change this
"misalignment". Although, initially, may be useful free patella knee
(the central depression serves to avoid compression and friction increased
patellar), if used in excess, decreased quadriceps muscle tone will soon
appear. Frequent and controversial situation, therefore, is called runner's
knee or patellar syndrome characterized by pain front, or at least located at
the patella, as is sometimes found on the back face thereof. It is observed in
the young rider regardless of gender, and is clearly characteristic runner and
walkers.
The circumstances of onset of
pain and its characteristics are similar to those so far described, also
presenting a series of specific signs such as: tenderness of the patellar facet
and external patellar spoiler tense and painful, probably due to overpressure
of the patella. Some authors claim that the pain is more common in his left
knee in the right and the opposite in lefties. How much has been written about
the origin of this pain I highlight two theories, one indicating oldest is a
patellar chondromalacia (cartilage disruption), has been maintained as an
explanation, but it has become a real "mixed bag" which has been
mixed so diverse unclear to back of knee pain. Other authors believe that there
is clear distinction between the impairment of patellar cartilage and osteoarthritis,
and are rather straight, because if not corrected in time the defect,
especially biomechanical evolution is sure to osteoarthritis.
The initial treatment for knee pain of choice
should be the non-surgical. So always start some rest or active rest, changing
over time to other sports (easy bike developments, though never breaststroke
swimming, weights at easy angles and lightweight fitness or other devices as
"elliptical". If we keep running, we will choose to do fewer days and
less intensely watching the style and terrain. Should warm up well and stretch
specially the quadriceps, triceps surae (rear leg) and hamstrings (back thigh),
before and after you start training. The proper rehabilitation must cover all
these muscles as well as the hip. Interestingly, the selective
electrostimulation of the quadriceps vastus (its oblique fibers, mostly)
followed by isometric contractions of the quadriceps in extension (most
effective if made to current flow and the wise instruction of a well-trained
therapist). Cartilage protectors have the advantage to be taken for several
months with no side effects.
Read my explanation about arthritis here.
Read my explanation about arthritis here.
