What is the Patellofemoral pain syndrome? knee pain with orthopedic surgeon Dr. Eric Eifler, MD

- Dr. Eric Eifler, MD is an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in orthopedic sports medicine. Dr. Eifler was recently interview in Runner's World regarding the risks of running with ankle weights.

One risk of weighting down your knee while running is to develop patellofemoral syndrome. The patellofemoral syndrome involves damage to the knee. The knee is the joint between the thigh bone (femur) and the leg bone (tibia) and knee cap (patella). The ends of the patella, femur, and tibia bones are normally covered with cartilage. The knee cap articulates with the thigh bone. Another way of saying that is that the patella articulates with the femur. Where the two bones comes together is called the patellofemoral function.

Patellofemoral syndrome is the overload of the kneecap rubbing against the thigh bone. The cartilage in the overloaded area of the patellofemoral function can break down and develop lesions called chondromalacia. The lesions in the cartilage hurt when in use. Thus, chondromalacia forming at the patellofemoral junction is a common cause of knee pain.

Patellofemoral syndrome presents as pain in the front of the knee with use. It's made worse by hiking, down in particular, getting out of bed, out of a car. The knee often aches when sitting at the desk during the day and may swell.