What could this pain above my kneecap be?

Why am I experiencing pain under my kneecap? How can I alleviate or prevent this pain from reoccurring?

• Hello people. Well here's some information for you to know. I'm 22 and I play basketball a lot, I am flat footed (my arches collapse heavily when I walk), and of course I overpronate (my ankle rolls inward). Lately, I've been experiencing a little more than mild pain under my kneecap. My left leg is completely fine, but my right leg is the one with the pain. I have always had this problem in the past, but lately it's gotten worse. And the thing is, I haven't been in the gym that much and I played for the first time in 3 weeks yesterday. As soon as I got on and off the court, the pain began. As I said before, it's not the kneecap (patella) it's like an inch+1/2 under my kneecap ... What's my problem? I think it's runner's knee, but I need confirmation. If so, what are some ways to help prevent or alleviate the pain so I can jump and hold defense better. I can't squat (with my right leg) and get up without collapsing. My left leg is completely fine. It's also somewhat difficult to walk up stairs and when I "flex" my quadriceps, I feel the pain under the kneecap. Here's an illustration to show you where my pain is located [ http://imageshack.us/f/215/painrg.jpg/ ] ... Red circle represents where it hurts... Help me please, thanks in return!

• Answer:

  See your health care provider as soon as possible (orthopedic surgeon or sports specialist), for consultation. Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS), often called runner's knee, refers to pain under and around the knee cap.The latest information about patellofemoral pain syndrome points the focus on strengthening the hips to get the kneecap to track correctly. Their study findings support the idea that kneecap motion is more influenced by the hip muscles than the quadriceps, as previously thought. For this study, a small group of female runners with patellofemoral pain syndrome performed a twice per week hip strengthening exercise routine for six weeks. The exercises performed included single leg squats and a variety of elastic band exercises to improve hip strength. Leg muscle imbalance can best be determined by a specialist who will do muscle balance testing and determine what, if any, imbalance you may have. One of the strengthening exercises you would likely begin is for the quadriceps group to build the muscles that are responsible for the way the kneecap tracks. I hope this helps you. And good luck.