Pain and grating behind knee cap

[nph]

I have been getting pain behind both my knee caps for years. This started from what i can remember in my early 20's. I would play football and then struggle down stairs for the nest few days. I was always active and took part in many sports. I have now had 3 key hole operation's on my right knee to repair cartlidge.
I am now 32 and mainly play golf. In the last year i have got back into training, this involves cardio and now with lots of strength training exercises including core work. I still get knee pain behind the cap after i have trained legs (squatting etc), the squatts don't hurt, just the day after when going down stairs etc. I have also been doing single leg squats which i find difficult to go to near too low. I find i'm getting better and lower but still have the pain the next day.
My other hobby is skiing which only happens once a year with a few days on the local indoor slope for practice. I went skiing yesterday for 1 hour and again found my knees to be in pain while skiing if holding in the bent position.
Can anything be done about this pain and will a patella strap help in any way?
When i do go skiing for several days, my knees swell and become very painful when bending or going down stairs, i don't want to stop as enjoy this very much.
PLEASE HELP!!!

[Heidi]

Hi

Sounds like a case of patellofemoral knee pain. This is a bit of a broad term but generally includes any anterior knee pain which has no trauma connected.

There are several causes of this type of pain, of which more than one will usually apply to each person. Some of the most common include overpronation, weak VMO, tight lateral structures (ITB) and weak hip abduction.

You can find out more here:

http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/front/knee/indexcmp.php

[nph]

can a patella support help with my problem in the meantime while i build up the surrounging muscles?