Patellar Tracking Disorder: What Increases Your Risk
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What Increases Your Risk
Some risk factors for patellar tracking disorder are beyond your control. Others, such as having weak quadriceps, you can change.
Risk factors that you cannot change
- Family history of knee problems.
- Knee abnormalities, such as knock-knees or an excessively long patellar tendon that allows the patella to slide too high on the knee joint (patella alta).
- A growth spurt, as is typical in teenagers.
- A poorly healed injury of the hip, leg, knee, or foot.
- Previous kneecap dislocation.
- Previous knee surgery.
- Generalized ligamentous laxity, or "loose-jointedness."
Risk factors that you can avoid or change
- Weak thigh muscles (quadriceps).
- The outer part of your thigh muscle is stronger or contracts quicker than the inner thigh muscle.
- Tight ligaments, tendons, and muscles.
- Excessive body weight.
- Running, particularly on hills.
- Playing sports that require repeated jumping, knee bending, or squatting.
- Improper footwear.
- Improper athletic training or technique.
| Last updated: | February 14, 2008 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH |
| Reviewed By: | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine, Kenneth J. Koval, MD - Orthopedic Surgery, Orthopedic Trauma |
| Editors: | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman, MATC |
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