Patella Femural Misalignment

[desertdog71]

Yeah, I know. Nice Title.

Anyways, I have been trying to find out more about this. I have pretty much been told that I just need to deal with it, until pain sets in.

My knees crunch pretty badly when I bend them, espescially on stairs and things of that nature. I have had a few injuries over the years to my knees and had MCL surgery back in 1988.

I have started taking Glucosamine Chondroitin like an old person, but I am wondering it there is any therapy I could do to help correct things. I have been told that there is not much that can do, but I am looking for some suggestions. Maybe some flexibilty or something will help.

Thanks

[PacMan4x4]

DDOG....
I hit the hospital up about two months ago with popping/aching in my left knee and was told it was Pettella Femoral Syndrome...sounds like the same thing where the kneecap isn't riding straight and causes irritation. I was too told I would just have to live with it. I have some similar symptoms as you with crunching and can't lean back while bending my left knee otherwise I'd end up on the floor. I mananged to hit an appointment with a physical therapist and they gave me some exercises to do to try and strengthen up the muscles after they said it doesn't appear that weak muscles is my problem. Though I told the doctor I'm 35 years old and never had a sports injury that living with this didn't seem to be logical to me. There was nothing obvious that is torn/damaged, so I guess I'll just have to live with it.
I feel your pain bro....

Pac Man

[Dugie8]

I had a similiar condtion in high school. The orthopedic doc, had me use athletic tape to pull the knee cap to the correct side. Worked great and after a few months of doing this (being able to play football at the same time) the pain went away.

If you are getting a lot of crunching the "sheeth" that surrounds your knee joint may be folded into the joint and you are pinching it everytime you bend your knee. Had this fixed a couple of years ago (thank you UPS!) also. Simple scope surgery, took only a week to get back on my feet completely, was flying 3 days after the surgery. I think it is called plica (sp?).

[Tim]

I have some of the same problems in both knees with the left being the worse. I got a cortisone shot about 3 weeks ago and it helped for a few days. Basically the dr said it was from pounding the concrete at the airport, wearing heavy steel toed shoes, and working in the bins of narrow bodies. Trying to even carry my little girl is only 27 pounds up steps just about kills me. As soon as softball season is over in 3 weeks I am going back and get the MRI done. He thinks it could also be a torn minscus.

[tonyw]

I would say to go for PT as much as you can. Don't let them cut into you unless it is absolutely necessary. Believe me, getting the knife SUCKS!

[Bandit_Driver]

Ouch! that sounds pretty bad. I find it hard to believe with todays medical technology that they can't do something. I would see a sports medicine Dr. and see what his opinion is.

I would only use surgery as a last resort or at least wait to your training is over if you can.

[Tim]

I agree with Bandit you need to see an Orthopedic Dr who specializes in Sports type injuries.

[adreamer]

Well, based on my previous job training and understanding, patella mis-alignment is your patella not tracking correctly within knee joint. It means when you lift your legs, your patella will be grinding with one side femur head. If this condition continues, your knee cap would be irritated. Eventually(in extreme case), you might need patella replacement surgery.

There are few causes for this particular problem. One is one of your legs is slightly longer than other. Another one, I can think of, is muscles imbalance.

As far as treatment go, must likely involves with some medications and some PT with leg muscles

However, do pay a visit orthopedic surgeons

adreamer
ps: If you have any specific questions, you can PM me