Four reasons you may have kneecap pain when bending your knee

One of the primary responsibilities of your knee is to provide movement in the legs for activities like standing up, walking, running and jumping. However, when the kneecap hurts while bending your knee, it can be difficult, if not impossible, to do some of these activities. 

Different conditions and injuries can cause kneecap pain to develop. Take a moment to learn about these conditions below and find out how physical therapy can help. 

1. Patellofemoral pain syndrome

Patellofemoral pain syndrome is a term used to describe any type of long-lasting pain located at the front of your knee around the kneecap (known medically as the patella). This pain is usually dull and achy and grows worse when bending your knee while walking or sitting for a long period of time. 

Patellofemoral pain syndrome is sometimes referred to as runner’s knee due to its common occurrence among athletes who run and jump a lot. 

2. Strains and sprains

The knee contains many muscles, ligaments and tendons that provide stability and power its movements.

Sprains are injuries to the ligaments in the knee when they are overstretched or torn. A sprained ligament can cause pain to develop around the kneecap and in other parts of your knee. Severe strains usually have other symptoms like loss of stability and swelling. 

Sprains are similar to strains. They are injuries to the tendons and muscles in the knee when they are overstretched or torn. Strains to the tendons along the front of your knee can lead to other problems like the dislocation of the kneecap. 

3. Arthritis

Arthritis is a chronic condition that causes inflammation to develop in the joints. This inflammation wears down the cartilage, which causes friction to develop in the joints and loose debris to snag the joints during movement. Arthritis can affect one or both of your knees, causing pain in the kneecaps and other parts of the knees.

4. Dislocation

Traumatic injuries or conditions that affect the tendons and muscles in your knee can cause the kneecap to dislocate. This is very painful and prevents you from fully bending or straightening the knee. 

Knee dislocation causes permanent damage that requires surgery for treatment to prevent future dislocations. After surgery, it’s important to visit a physical therapist to rehabilitate the knee so you can return to your normal activities. 

Visit SSOR in Shawnee, KS, for help treating your kneecap pain

Do you have pain around your kneecap that gets worse when bending your knee? You may have one of the conditions outlined above. Our physical therapists at SSOR in Shawnee, Kansas, can provide treatment to help you reduce pain and stiffness caused by these conditions. Talk to your doctor or one of our team members to find out if physical therapy for kneecap pain is right for you. Contact our team today for more information about kneecap pain or to schedule an initial appointment.