Patella Tracking Disorder

Knee Pain

Patellar tracking disorder is a condition that occurs when the patella, also known as the kneecap, moves out of its original place when the leg straightens or bends.

What causes Patella Tracking Disorder?

In most cases, the kneecap shifts towards the outside of your leg, called “Lateral Patella tracking”.

Occasionally in some cases, it may shift toward the medial side too.

Why this shift happens due to the force applied to the kneecap itself.

It was said that the knee joint is a hinge joint, which connects the tibia and fibula of your leg with the femur.

The kneecap is held in its natural position by ligaments on the medial and lateral sides and by tendons on the top side.

Patella Tracking Disorder Anatomy

Below the patella is a cartilage layer that helps the patella glide along the femur’s groove.

When the cartilage below the patella does wear out, it can create pain and discomfort in the knee.

The misalignment of the patella results from tendons, muscles or ligaments that are either too tight or too loose.

Lateral patella tracking VS Medial patella Tracking

In the case of Lateral Patella Tracking, the Vastus Lateralist is over-developed compared to the Vastus Medialis or the IT Band (Iliotibial Band) pulling too much.

Vastus L. can overtake Vastus M’s strengthening due to the muscle size.

Indeed the V.L. is visibly bigger than the V. M.

On the other hand, tension along Gluteus Max and or tensions in the TFL can play a role in the pulling of the IT band.

 

Are you in Pain, and you suspect to have a Patella Tracking disorder? Get in touch with Giovanni now.

Risk factors for Patella Tracking Disorder

Here is a list of reasons that can lead to Patella Tracking Disorder:

  • Footwear
  • Running
  • Weakness in the quads muscle
  • Unbalance of muscle between the inner and outer regions of your tight
  • Sports that require excessive knee bending, jumping or squatting
  • Improper form or techniques while working out or during sports activities
  • Overweight
  • Genetics (structural reasons)
  • Incidents or trauma to the knees
  • Malformation within the femur bond
  • Damaged cartilage

Symptoms

Pain is the most symptom of Patella tracking disorder.

The pain caused by this condition can occur during regular activity such as standing up, walking and or sitting down.

Any knee movement can recreate the pain.

In the case of arthritis, the pain can be more intense, and swelling is present at the knee joint.

Treatment Options

At Melbourne Massage and Treatment, the services available for Patella tracking are multiple.

Depending on the severity of the condition, Myotherapy treatment and or MLD are the most recommended.

Thanks to Dry Needling and/or Joint Mobilisation therapy, Myotherapy treatment can help rebalance the muscle forces surrounding the knee cap.

On the other hand, MLD can help in reducing the inflammation and the swelling present eventually on the knee joint.

What then Giovanni would look in, too, is also the mobility of ankles and hips.

The correct mobility of these two joints would ensure that the knee is not compensating for the poor joint quality of movement, which can be part of why the patella tracking disorder is in the first place.

 


Giovanni La Rocca

Giovanni moved to Melbourne, Australia, from Italy in 2008 and became a citizen in 2017. He started studying massage therapy in 2016, then completed a Bachelor of Health Science in Clinical Myotherapy in August 2024. During those years, he also specialised in Thai Massage and Manual Lymphatic Drainage for presentations like Lipedema and Lymphoedema. Nowadays, he runs his clinic in Fitzroy North, Melbourne, where he integrates movement therapy into his practice to enhance overall well-being. He also values meditation, having completed several Vipassana courses. Committed to continuous learning, he aims to share his expertise in integrated therapies to help others achieve balance and resilience.

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Arm Lymphoedema Quiz

Based on the original document - Piller,NB (2006) Lymphoedema Research unit Department of surgery, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park, South Australia,  5042 (Adapted and reprinted with permission). This guide is designed as an educational aid-based primary on experience, no evidence in literature.

(Optional)
1. More than 10 nodes removed from armpit
2. Radiotherapy to armpit area
3. More than 2 infections (redness) in the limb per year
4. Whole of Breast Removed (Mastectomy)
5. More than 2 but less than 10 nodes removed from armpit
6. Radiotherapy to chest/breast area
7. Fluids drained from wound more than 1 week
8. Infection at the wound site
9. One infection (redness) in the limb per year
10. Heaviness, tightness or tension in the limb at times
11. Frequent cuts/scratches to the limb
12. Dry skin
13. Part of Breast removed
14. 1 or 2 nodes removed from armpit
15. Limb feels different as the day progresses

OTHER PROBLEMS WHICH MAY ADD TO RISK

16. Body weight is very high (obese)
17. Surgery was on side of dominant hand
18. Generally experience high stress levels
19. Generally have high non-controlled blood pressure
20. Body weight is a little high (overweight)
21. Frequent long distance air traveler
22. Previous or current other injuries to limb/shoulder
23. Thyroid gland activity is not normal and not medicated
24. “At risk” limb is used for repetitive actions
25. Often carry heavy loads for long periods using “at risk” arm
26 Smoking is currently part of my life
27. Swelling was present in limb prior to surgery

What to do now?

    • If you are at LOW RISK, then you will benefit from a range of appropriate educational literature that may be able to even further reduce the risk of developing lymphoedema.

    • If you are at MODERATE or HIGH RISK, then the educational materials will also benefit you. Ideally, if you are in these categories, you should have a non-invasive assessment (Bio-impedance spectroscopy or Tissue Dielectric Constants) to determine if there are already some fluid accumulations in your "risk" limb.

Independently of your level of risk, Giovanni offers 15-minute Online Consultation to better guide you on how to manage this presentation, or prevent any degeneration.

Book your free 15-minutes online consultation now.

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Lipedema Questionnaire

This is not a diagnostic tool but only a guide.
To learn more about the Lipedema presentation, contact Giovanni by sending the result, or booking a free 15-minute online consultation. Be sure to include your full name and email address in the form below (At the end of the quiz).

If you prefer to contact Giovanni anonymously, call with a private number at 0449790781.

Texture of fatty tissue may feel granular and/orfibrotic
Symmetrical, disproportionate accumulation of fatty tissue (refer to picture on the Lipedema page)
The waist may be small in proportion to thighs, buttocks, and legs
Cuffs or bulges may develop around joints (e.g. ankles, knees, elbows, wrists). Feet remainunaffected unless lymphoedema is a comorbidity
Legs are often hypersensitive to touch and pressureand may feel cold
Affected areas may bruise easily with minimaltrauma
Patients describe affected areas as sore, painful, heavy, swollen and tired
Symptoms can worsen in hot weather, during orafter exercise, standing or sitting for long periods
Fat pads, which can be tender or painful, accumulate on the upper outer thighs, inner thighs, and around the knee area, can cause abnormal gait,and contribute to joint pain
Filling of the retromalleolar sulcus
Hypermobility
Soft, thin skin with loss of elasticity. Skin can havea lumpy appearance.
Non-pitting oedema and negative Stemmer’s sign on feet and hands in the absence of coexisting lymphoedemaPitting oedema is when by appling pressure to the area with a finger, for more than 60 seconds, you get left an indentation in the skin.
Difficulty losing weight from affected areas despite exercise, modified diet or bariatric surgery. If well-directed, these measures may help reduceinflammation and co-existing obesity if present
Abnormal nerve sensations
Pain on blood pressure check (larger cuff may berequired)
Relatives with similar body shape or fat distribution

Out of 17 questions, the number above, tells you how many symptoms applies to you. The more symptoms, the more luckily you are suffering from a Lipedema presentation. Get in touch with Giovanni now, via the form below, for further understanding on how to manage Lipedema presentation.

Reference list

This quiz is a reproduction of a flyer from the association Lipoedema Australia.
The reference list is Adapted from 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13,14[1] , 16, 18 and available here (PDF).

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Leg Lymphoedema Quiz

Based on the original document - Piller,NB (2006) Lymphoedema Research unit Department of surgery, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park, South Australia,  5042 (Adapted and reprinted with permission). This guide is designed as an educational aid-based primary on experience, no evidence in literature.

(optional)
1. More than 10 nodes removed from the groin
2. Radiotherapy to the groin/pelvic area
3. Average of more than 2 infections (cellulitis) in the limb per year
4. Dry or scaly skin on lower legs/feet
5. More than 2 but less than 10 nodes removed from groin
6. Fluids drained from wound more than 1 week
7. Infection at the wound site after surgery
8. Average of one infection (cellulitis) in the limb per year
9. Frequent cuts/scratches to the limb
10. 1 or 2 nodes removed from the groin
11. Heaviness, tightness or tension in the limb at times
12. Limb feels worse as the day progresses

OTHER PROBLEMS WHICH MAY ADD TO RISK

13. Family history of leg swelling
14. Frequent long distance air/bus/car traveler
15. Previous or current other injuries to legs, ankles or feet
16. Limb is most often in a dependant position (standing)
17. Generally experience high stress levels
18. Generally have high blood pressure
19. Thyroid gland activity is not normal and not medicated
20. Diabetic but controlled by diet or medication
21. Diabetic uncontrolled
22. Some varicose veins or spider veins
23. Many varicose veins or spider veins
24. Prior varicose vein stripping and scars
25. Smoking is currently part of my life
26. Body weight is a little high (overweight)
27. Body weight is very high (obese)
28. Diet is rich in animal (omega 6) fats
29. Swelling was present in limb prior to surgery/radiotherapy

What to do now?

    • If you are at LOW RISK, then you will benefit from a range of appropriate educational literature that may be able to even further reduce the risk of developing lymphoedema.

    • If you are at MODERATE or HIGH RISK, then the educational materials will also benefit you. Ideally, if you are in these categories, you should have a non-invasive assessment (Bio-impedance spectroscopy or Tissue Dielectric Constants) to determine if there are already some fluid accumulations in your "risk" limb.

Independently of your level of risk, Giovanni offers 15-minute Online Consultation to better guide you on how to manage this presentation, or prevent any degeneration.

Book your free 15-minutes online consultation now.

Save as Draft

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