Patellofemoral pain syndrome

Patellofemoral pain syndrome is one of the most common disorders of the knee, accounting for 25% of knee injuries seen in a sports medicine clinic.

The causes of patellofemoral problems are multifactorial, including abnormal patellofemoral joint mechanics, lower kinetic chain alterations, and overuse.

Patients typically note the insidious onset of an ill-defined ache localized to the anterior knee behind the patella.

There is no one physical exam or imaging test that is a standard for diagnosis.

Treatment is focused on activity modification and correction of specific risk factors.

Nonoperative treatment is successful in the majority of cases.

Patellofemoral pain syndrome is defined as knee pain resulting from mechanical and biochemical changes to the patellofemoral joint.