Realign Your Kneecap, Reclaim Your Life

Pain and swelling at the front of your knee? Feeling your kneecap slipping and clicking? You may be suffering from patella malalignment.

What Is It?

Patellar malalignment (also known as patella maltracking) refers to the abnormal positioning or movement of the kneecap (patella) as it moves along the femoral groove during bending or straightening of the knee. It can cause pain, instability, and knee dysfunction.

Knee Popping and Pain? Why Patellar Malalignment is an issue:

When the patella tracks too far off course you may experience the feeling of your knee ‘giving out’ as the kneecap leaves the groove of the femoral bone (the patellofemoral groove). Often the kneecap will appear visibly out of place.

This typically occurs suddenly and unexpectedly, and is commonly caused by:

• Trauma (for example a blow to the knee in sport or a fall)
• Twisting (a sudden change in direction while the leg is planted when standing)

When occurring, kneecap dislocation can cause immediate pain and swelling at the knee joint. Straightening the knee and weight bearing on that leg will be extremely difficult.

Our job at UniquePhysio is help you avoid this painful event occurring by optimising your lower limb function, so it is prepped ready for life’s twists and turns.

But Why Does This Occur For Some People and Not Others?

Muscle imbalances are a key cause, especially weak quadriceps or tight musculature on the outer side of your leg.

Anatomical abnormalities, such as a ligament laxity, high sitting kneecaps, a shallow femoral groove or a large hip to knee angle can also put people at risk of development.

Why us at Unique Physio?

Physiotherapy plays a key role in managing patellar malalignment and preventing dislocations, especially when the condition is caused by muscle imbalance, abnormal lower limb posture or soft tissue dysfunction. Our goal here at Unique Physio is to correct abnormal tracking of the patella, reduce pain, and restore normal knee function so you get back to doing what you love and hopefully avoid surgery.  

What can you expect in a consult from us?

We would first work to diagnose the condition with a physical examination, including observation of your lower limb posture and kneecap alignment at rest and during specific movements, and with closer assessment of the knee joint and surrounding soft tissues.

An individualised treatment plan will be developed according to our findings, which often includes targeted strengthening of specific lower limb muscles to optimise knee strength and stability.

Other modalities in your treatment plan may include:

• Manual therapy (e.g. soft tissue work, joint mobilisations)
• Taping
• Prescription of braces and/or foot orthotics
• Stretches to other key muscle groups in the lower limb  
• Advice on activity modification and appropriate exercise intensity
• Education on lower limb posture and biomechanics
• Electrophysical agents such as ultrasound therapy, shockwave

Book in with us for an initial assessment at Unique Physio to stay right on track!