1. What is it?
This injury occurs where 3 muscles come together on the inner side of the knee. These muscles can be subjected to overuse, microtrauma, or soft tissue contractures.
2. What are the causes/predisposing factor of injury?
There are many causes or factors that can result in injury. For example: the early stages of training, when the muscles cannot handle the increased stress, running too many miles, training on too many hills, improper stretching, or biomechanical problems in the lower extremity.
3. What are the symptoms?
Usually, there is pinpoint tenderness about 4 cm below the inner side of the knee joint. There may be associated redness or swelling in the area. Pain may radiate to the back of the thigh. The condition may be aggravated when walking up stairs.
4. What can be done to prevent or treat this condition?
Fexibility and strengthening exercises for the muscles around the knee joint (quadriceps, iliotibial band, groin muscles, hamstrings) are useful in preventing injury. Also, correcting any biomechanical problems that are present may reduce the chance of injury.
Treatment is aimed at reducing the inflammation in the region, restoring flexibility and strength, and correcting any predisposing factors. As such, modalities such as ice, anti-inflammatory drugs, orthotics, rehabilitation, exercises and stretching are used.