Is patellofemoral arthritis the same as osteoarthritis?
Cartilage gradually thins as part of the normal aging process, but in some people this happens faster and more extensively than others. This leads to degenerative patellofemoral arthritis, known as osteoarthritis, and usually affects those over the age of 65.
What is patellofemoral osteoarthritis?
Patellofemoral arthritis affects the underside of the patella (kneecap) and the channel-like groove in the femur (thighbone) that the patella rests in. It causes pain in the front of your knee and can make it difficult to kneel, squat, and climb and descend stairs.
How is patellofemoral osteoarthritis treated?
These include adaptations in activity, such as avoiding stairs, limiting squats and lunges, and decreasing impact sports; physical therapy to stretch and strengthen surrounding muscles; and use of medication such as acetaminophen or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to relieve pain.
Can patellofemoral cause osteoarthritis?
It has been hypothesized that patellofemoral pain, a common knee condition in adolescents and young adults, may be a precursor of degenerative joint changes and may ultimately lead to patellofemoral osteoarthritis.
How painful is patellofemoral arthritis?
Patellofemoral joint (PFJ) pain cause pain at the front of the knee. The pain is often hard to pinpoint and feels deep in the joint or ‘behind the knee cap’. It is more common in females then males and is often aggravated by prolonged walking particularly downstairs and/or down hill’s, squatting, lunging and running.
Is patellofemoral arthritis common?
The severity of PF joint OA was similar across men and women. Conclusion: PF joint OA was highly prevalent, more so than TF joint OA, and even in individuals ages <50 years.
How common is patellofemoral arthritis?
Isolated patellofemoral arthritis is not rare and radiographic evidence of deformity can be observed in 17.1-34% of female patients and 18.5-19% of male patients in the age of ≥55 or ≥60 years old according to some studies1,2).
What is the patellofemoral joint?
The patellofemoral joint is where your patella (kneecap) and femur (thigh bone) meet at the front of your knee. The underside of your kneecap sits in a groove within your thigh bone called the patellofemoral groove . Within this groove, the kneecap mostly moves lengthwise,…
Is the patellofemoral joint a gliding joint?
The patellofemoral joint is a gliding synovial joint. The strong quadriceps muscle in the front of the thigh helps to extend the knee joint while in the back of the thigh; the hamstring muscle helps to flex the knee joint.
How does osteoarthritis affect the joints?
Osteoarthritis has often been referred to as a “wear and tear” disease. But besides the breakdown of cartilage, osteoarthritis affects the entire joint. It causes changes in the bone and deterioration of the connective tissues that hold the joint together and attach muscle to bone. It also causes inflammation of the joint lining.
Does early joint trauma lead to osteoarthritis?
Early Joint Trauma May Lead to Osteoarthritis Osteoarthritis is the most common form of joint disease, and numerous factors can contribute to its development, including general “wear and tear” and family history of the condition. Osteoarthritis is fairly common in the elderly population, although it can also strike younger people.