Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (Runner's Knee): Exercises
Introduction
Here are some examples of exercises for you to try. The exercises may be suggested for a condition or for rehabilitation. Start each exercise slowly. Ease off the exercises if you start to have pain.
You will be told when to start these exercises and which ones will work best for you.
How to do the exercises
Calf wall stretch
slide 1 of 7, Calf wall stretch,
- Stand facing a wall with your hands on the wall at about eye level. Put your affected leg about a step behind your other leg.
- Keeping your back leg straight and your back heel on the floor, bend your front knee and gently bring your hip and chest toward the wall until you feel a stretch in the calf of your back leg.
- Hold the stretch for at least 15 to 30 seconds.
- Repeat 2 to 4 times.
- Repeat steps 1 through 4, but this time keep your back knee bent.
Quadriceps stretch
slide 2 of 7, Quadriceps stretch,
- If you are not steady on your feet, hold on to a chair, counter, or wall.
- Bend your affected leg, and reach behind you to grab the front of your foot or ankle with the hand on the same side. For example, if you are stretching your right leg, use your right hand.
- Keeping your knees next to each other, pull your foot toward your buttock until you feel a gentle stretch across the front of your hip and down the front of your thigh. Your knee should be pointed directly to the ground, and not out to the side.
- Hold the stretch for at least 15 to 30 seconds.
- Repeat 2 to 4 times.
Hamstring wall stretch
slide 3 of 7, Hamstring wall stretch,
- Lie on your back in a doorway, with your good leg through the open door.
- Slide your affected leg up the wall to straighten your knee. You should feel a gentle stretch down the back of your leg.
- Hold the stretch for at least 1 minute. Then over time, try to lengthen the time you hold the stretch to as long as 6 minutes.
- Repeat 2 to 4 times.
- If you do not have a place to do this exercise in a doorway, there is another way to do it:
- Lie on your back, and bend your affected leg.
- Loop a towel under the ball and toes of that foot, and hold the ends of the towel in your hands.
- Straighten your knee, and slowly pull back on the towel. You should feel a gentle stretch down the back of your leg.
- Hold the stretch for at least 15 to 30 seconds. Or even better, hold the stretch for 1 minute if you can.
- Repeat 2 to 4 times.
- Do not arch your back.
- Do not bend either knee.
- Keep one heel touching the floor and the other heel touching the wall. Do not point your toes.
Quad sets
slide 4 of 7, Quad sets,
- Sit with your affected leg straight and supported on the floor or a firm bed. Place a small, rolled-up towel under your affected knee. Your other leg should be bent, with that foot flat on the floor.
- Tighten the thigh muscles of your affected leg by pressing the back of your knee down into the towel.
- Hold for about 6 seconds, then rest for up to 10 seconds.
- Repeat 8 to 12 times.
Straight-leg raises to the front
slide 5 of 7, Straight-leg raises to the front,
- Lie on your back with your good knee bent so that your foot rests flat on the floor. Your affected leg should be straight. Make sure that your low back has a normal curve. You should be able to slip your hand in between the floor and the small of your back, with your palm touching the floor and your back touching the back of your hand.
- Tighten the thigh muscles in your affected leg by pressing the back of your knee flat down to the floor. Hold your knee straight.
- Keeping the thigh muscles tight and your leg straight, lift your affected leg up so that your heel is about 30 centimetres off the floor.
- Hold for about 6 seconds, then lower your leg slowly. Rest for up to 10 seconds between repetitions.
- Repeat 8 to 12 times.
Straight-leg raises to the back
slide 6 of 7, Straight-leg raises to the back,
- Lie on your stomach, and lift your leg straight up behind you (toward the ceiling).
- Lift your toes about 15 centimetres off the floor, hold for about 6 seconds, then lower slowly.
- Do 8 to 12 repetitions.
Wall slide with ball squeeze
slide 7 of 7, Wall slide with ball squeeze,
- Stand with your back against a wall and with your feet about shoulder-width apart. Your feet should be about 30 centimetres away from the wall.
- Put a ball about the size of a soccer ball between your knees. Then slowly slide down the wall until your knees are bent about 20 to 30 degrees.
- Tighten your thigh muscles by squeezing the ball between your knees. Hold that position for about 10 seconds, then stop squeezing. Rest for up to 10 seconds between repetitions.
- Repeat 8 to 12 times.
Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse advice line (811 in most provinces and territories) if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.
Current as of: July 17, 2023
Author: Healthwise Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
