Question - Patella Femoral Syndrome and Lunges

Great website!

I am a female in early forties, who is in shape. In Nov 2007, I was diagnosed with patella femoral syndrome. I was told to lay off my knee for a while and to quit lifting weights (orthopedic doctor)

Well, here I am in mid-Feb and if I get too 'active' I feel the pain again. Looking at your website, I was trying to find more info on exercises that could help me out with healing this issue.

My question is about lunges. My right knee still hurts and I was wondering exactly what lunges you recommend for my injury (if any). I checked the section under lunges, but am afraid that they could worsen my injury.

Thanks!

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Question - Patella Femoral Syndrome and Lunges

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Feb 16, 2008
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Thanks for the kind words
by: Bart - SII

Glad you like the website...

When it comes to lunges and patella femoral syndrome, it is a fine line between helping and harming. (not really harming, but causing pain)

It is hard to recommend specific exercises to you online because I cannot evaluate you and all of the possible causes for your patella femoral syndrome. If you are like the majority of my patients, you most likely have some hip weakness which is contributing to your PFS.

Lunges may help with this but you should be cautious. If you want to try them, straight forward lunges are the safest in regards to not increasing your pain. Pay attention to your knee, and make sure that it stays directly in line with your foot. Don't let it sway towards your mid-line. Take a small step, and keep your back leg straight, and only push out as far as you feel comfortable.

You can do some simple balancing exercises to help increase your hip control and strength and these could be more beneficial than the lunges. Look at the balance exercises and try some of those. Any kind of simple balance and then trying to rotate your hips will help improve your hip strength and control. The pictures on that page give a little insight as to what I am talking about.

Another way to work on hip strength and control is to do step ups in front of a mirror. It doesn't have to be a large step. Put your hands on your hips and concentrate on keeping them level as you step up. If you have some hip weakness or lack of control, you will see one hip drop as you step up.

The other things you need to consider are your flexibility and your foot mechanics. You may benefit from a good arch support or more supportive shoes, and a regular stretching routine.

I hope this helps...comment back if you have other questions.

Thanks again for the great questions!

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Feb 16, 2008
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Submitted by: Bart - SII

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Glad you like the website... When it comes to lunges and patella femoral syndrome, it is a fine line between helping and harming. (not really harming, but causing pain) It is hard to recommend specific exercises to you online because I cannot evaluate you and all of the possible causes for your patella femoral syndrome. If you are like the majority of my patients, you most likely have some hip weakness which is contributing to your PFS. Lunges may help with this but you should be cautious. If you want to try them, straight forward lunges are the safest in regards to not increasing your pain. Pay attention to your knee, and make sure that it stays directly in line with your foot. Don't let it sway towards your mid-line. Take a small step, and keep your back leg straight, and only push out as far as you feel comfortable. You can do some simple balancing exercises to help increase your hip control and strength and these could be more beneficial than the lunges. Look at the <a href="http://www.sports-injury-info.com/balance.html" target="_blank">balance exercises </a> and try some of those. Any kind of simple balance and then trying to rotate your hips will help improve your hip strength and control. The pictures on that page give a little insight as to what I am talking about. Another way to work on hip strength and control is to do step ups in front of a mirror. It doesn't have to be a large step. Put your hands on your hips and concentrate on keeping them level as you step up. If you have some hip weakness or lack of control, you will see one hip drop as you step up. The other things you need to consider are your flexibility and your foot mechanics. You may benefit from a good arch support or more supportive shoes, and a regular stretching routine. I hope this helps...comment back if you have other questions. Thanks again for the great questions!

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