By Dr Tony Setiobudi BMedSci, MBBS, MRCS, MMed (Ortho), FRCS (Ortho)
Lateral maltracking of the patella (knee cap) causes pain on the under surface of the knee cap. Because the knee cap is rubbing abnormally, it wears out the knee cartilage and causes inflammation and pain. This problem is caused by muscle imbalance of the knee. There are a few exercises to balance up the muscles in the knee so that the knee cap can track normally again.
Quadriceps muscles have 4 components. In lateral maltracking of the patella, the inner part of the quadriceps muscle is weak. The outer part of the quadriceps muscles is too strong creating muscle imbalance which pulls the knee cap outwards.
The video below gives step-by-step guide on how to strengthen the inner part of the quadriceps muscle.
Dr Tony Setiobudi is an Orthopaedic & Spine Surgeon at Mount Elizabeth Hospital (Orchard), Singapore. He treats bone, joint, muscle and ligament problems in adults and children. He has a special interest in nerve compression and spine problems such as back & neck pain, scoliosis, kyphosis, spine tumor & infection, spinal cord injury, osteoporosis fracture, spinal stenosis and slipped disc.
