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will call you back within one business day. If the kneecap is
“off track” even slightly (a tracking problem), it can cause
uneven pressure on the back of the kneecap. This can cause pain
and difficulty with movements, such as walking and going down
stairs. Below are some common causes of kneecap pain. Sometimes
the cartilage on the back of the kneecap or in the groove of the
thighbone is damaged. Damaged cartilage can’t spread pressure
evenly. Uneven pressure wears down the cartilage even further.
Sometimes a muscle or ligament in the knee is pulled the wrong
way. Or the kneecap may be pushed too hard. Then the kneecap may
move partly out of the groove (subluxation). It may even move
completely out (dislocation). Patellar tendinitis (“jumper’s
knee”) occurs when the quadriceps muscles are overused or tight.
During movement, the patellar tendon absorbs more shock than
usual. The tendon becomes irritated or damaged. Plica bands are
tissue fibers that