Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS), often called runner’s knee, is one of the most common knee complaints we treat at Corio Bay Sports Treatment Clinic in Colac.
Whether you play netball, basketball, AFL football, or soccer, this condition can seriously affect your ability to stay active, train, and perform at your best.
Our Colac physiotherapists are passionate about keeping people active and healthy, and we specialise in effective, personalised treatment for patellofemoral pain to help you get back on the field or court – pain-free.
What Is Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome?
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome refers to pain at the front of the knee, around or behind the kneecap (patella). It typically worsens with activities that load the knee, such as:
- Running or jumping
- Walking up or down stairs
- Squatting or kneeling
- Prolonged sitting (sometimes called “theatre sign”)
This condition is especially common in young athletes and active adults, particularly those involved in high-impact sports like netball, basketball, AFL, and soccer, where repetitive jumping, pivoting, and sudden direction changes place strain on the knee joint.
What Causes Patellofemoral Pain?
Several factors can contribute to PFPS, including:
- Poor kneecap tracking
- Muscle imbalances or weakness in the hip, thigh, or core
- Overuse or a sudden increase in training intensity
- Flat feet or poor foot biomechanics
- Tightness in the quads, hamstrings, or ITB
Our experienced physios in Colac assess the entire lower limb – not just the knee – to identify the root cause of your pain and develop a tailored treatment plan.
How Physiotherapy Can Help
At Corio Bay Sports Treatment Clinic, our physiotherapy approach to managing patellofemoral pain focuses on:
- Accurate Diagnosis
We start with a thorough biomechanical assessment to determine why your knee is hurting and what structures are involved. This includes assessing your gait, posture, strength, and flexibility.
2. Hands-On Treatment
We use manual therapy techniques to relieve tight muscles, improve joint mobility, and reduce pain. This may include soft tissue massage, joint mobilisation, and taping to help improve kneecap tracking.
3. Exercise Rehabilitation
Strengthening key muscles such as the quadriceps, gluteals, and core is essential. We guide you through progressive exercises that are specific to your sport and stage of recovery.
For netballers and basketballers, we focus on jumping and landing mechanics. For AFL players and soccer athletes, we tailor rehab to kicking, sprinting, and agility drills. Our clinic also features a clinical Pilates studio, perfect for improving control, strength, and alignment in a safe environment.
4. Load Management and Return to Sport
We’ll help you modify your activity so you can keep moving without aggravating the injury.
TAPING – We can teach you to tape your knee to be able to reduce symptoms and provide support to continue training and playing whilst you build your strength.
Our goal is to keep you on the court or field as much as possible while reducing pain and avoiding flare-ups.
Why Choose Corio Bay Sports Treatment Clinic in Colac?
At Corio Bay Sports Treatment Clinic, our team of qualified physiotherapists in Colac are experienced in treating sports injuries and passionate about keeping people active and healthy.
We work with athletes of all levels – from weekend warriors to competitive players – and understand the demands of netball, basketball, AFL football, and soccer. Our personalised rehab programs are sport-specific, goal-oriented, and designed to get you back to doing what you love.
About Mark
Mark has had roles as Physiotherapist for the Geelong Falcons, Geelong Football Club, Geelong Supercats and other elite athletes. He has a special love of AFL football and basketball and has enjoyed coaching Colac and District children at both club and representative levels.