muscle imbalances from hockey

[Matthew]

a few years ago my knees would crack every time i bent them, so eventually i went to the doctor and she told me that because ive been playing hockey for so long, the muscles on the outside of my leg have developed more than the muscles on the inside. anyway, looking at my knee the inside has a large bulge, for lack of a better word, and it makes it seem as if my knees are slanted. i know that 'bulge' is muscle, the bottom of the vastus medialis..? anyway i havent played hockey for a few years so the problem cant get worse, but i was wondering if anyone had/has the same thing, or if anybody knows of ways to even out the imbalance. thanks

[Matthew]

im pretty sure the problem is called Patello-Femoral Syndrome,
"Muscle imbalances in the quadriceps can cause the patella to move improperly through the groove in the femur. If one or more of the quadriceps muscles are weak, a muscle imbalance could occur. This imbalance pulls the patella off its track through the groove. More pressure is then placed on the cartilage on one side of the knee. In time, the pressure will cause damage to the articular cartilage."
that quote is from http://www.dynomed.com/encyclopedia/...oral_pain.html
anyway i just thought id add the name, if that could help at all.

[RedLefty]

I've had two patellar dislocations, both due primarily to this same type of muscle imbalance, although genetics and body structure also contributed.

Bottom line is that you need to strenghten the areas that are weak (likely the VMO muscle), and maintain flexibility and stability throughout your lower body and core, including hamstrings, hip abductors, calves... you get the idea. It took me a year or two following my second dislocation, but now I am near 100% and do not need a knee brace for any workouts or sports. I also use a foam roll for self-myofascial release on the iliotibial band -- this is sometimes very painful, but usually alleviates any tightness and pain I might have.

Here are a couple more links for some general info on patello-femoral syndrome and VMO strengthening:

http://www.rice.edu/~jenky/sports/pfs.html

http://www.physioroom.com/injuries/l...ing_full.shtml