Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome— nothing has worked for me. What should I do?

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I'm a 20 year old female who was diagnosed with patellofemoral pain syndrome in both knees when i was 14. The pain began occurring after I quit cheerleading, which I had done for 4 years. I would say that I experience moderate pain every day and severe pain once or twice a week. If I stand in one place for longer than 5 minutes my knees get terribly stiff and it is difficult for me to walk for some time after that. I've been prescribed naproxen and pennsaid, but they have no effect on my pain. I frequent Walt Disney World at least twice a year and I've had to get a wheelchair on almost every trip because the pain becomes unbearable when I walk a lot. I've had x-rays done a few times and an MRI on only my right knee. I've been to multiple doctors and they all say the same thing: physical therapy. I've been to two separate physical therapists for about 3 months each, but my pain got worse after each round. The last doctor I went to also prescribed physical therapy and I have yet to follow through because I'm afraid it'll be a waste of time just like the other times. I'm beginning to feel hopeless because it has impacted my life for so long now and it seems like it will be the way forever.

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4 Replies

  • Posted

    This is from The Mayo Clinic...

    *If nonsurgical treatments aren't effective, your doctor might suggest:

    • Arthroscopy. During this procedure, the doctor inserts a pencil-thin device equipped with a camera lens and light (arthroscope) into your knee through a tiny incision. Surgical instruments are passed through the arthroscope to remove fragments of damaged cartilage.

      - Realignment. In more-severe cases, a surgeon may need to operate on your knee to realign the angle of the kneecap or relieve pressure on the cartilage.

    You might first want to check out DonJoy, the big brace manufacturer to see if they have anything that could help. Surgery is the final stop...make sure you do everything else possible first.

    PS: Try some Voltaren Gel, RX in the US...generic diclofenac elsewhere (check for interactions first). Best topical anti-inflammatory out there. Can be applied 4X/day. Good at bedtime.

    • Posted

      Thank you for replying! I have a Don Joy brace already and it works to an extent but I still experience pain. But I will try to get some Voltaren Gel ASAP to see if it works. Thanks again!

    • Posted

      My youngest son is 29 and has suffered from Osgood-Schlatter's disease from his early teens. Not easy having knee issues when you are young. For him, the surgical fix is a 50/50 proposition so he's waiting until they come up with a better solution. He lives in Denver and has his special "medical card" so he has access to a whole array of pain "meds".

      Don't laugh... When I was recovering from my TKR, he sent me some "Lotion"...which is any hand cream plus an infusion of full strength "plant" tincture. Where Voltaren works in 15 minutes for me, this worked in FIVE!!! Best stuff I ever used. Plus my daughter was 100% cured of Stage 3 breast cancer six years ago by ingesting 8 "drops" of the pure tincture a day for a year. Each dose is the size of a grain of rice...insanely potent medicine. At 41, she's been cancer-free for 6 years.

      If you have access to these meds or even the Cannot Be Discussed oils, you should consider them too. We have a compounding pharmacy in my town in TX where the father/son pharmacists are very experienced in the oils. Plus we get advice from my wife's cousin who is a Nurse Practitioner with 20 years of experience in the oils. Think about it...

    • Posted

      Up until you see a doctor for an arthroscopy try finding a brace that supports your knees well. I have knee arthritis and I use these knee pads when I sleep: https://www.huashen.us/product/knee-braces/?wpam_id=2885. They are super comfortable and are made with biophotons that send healing frequencies to the areas that are in pain. It doesn't only work for arthritis, but for any knee problems. But of course I would recommend getting a second opinion and as the Chico_Marx said consider a arthoscopy.

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