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Síndrome da dor patelofemoral

  • Overview
  • Theory
  • Diagnosis
  • Management
  • Follow up
  • Resources
Last reviewed: 18 Sep 2025
Last updated: 10 Mar 2023

Summary

Definition

History and exam

Key diagnostic factors

  • dor mal definida
  • dor agravada por força compressiva
  • Ângulo Q
  • dor à palpação do retináculo patelar
  • teste da inclinação patelar
  • teste de deslize médio-lateral
  • teste da mobilidade patelar
  • teste de apreensão patelar
  • teste de mau ajuste patelar
  • diminuição da flexibilidade muscular
  • fraqueza muscular
Full details

Risk factors

  • anormalidades estruturais e ósseas
  • contratura da banda iliotibial
  • mobilidade patelar anormal
  • fraqueza muscular no quadríceps
  • pronação da articulação subtalar
  • rotação interna do quadril
  • desvios de marcha
Full details

Diagnostic tests

1st tests to order

  • nenhum exame inicial
Full details

Tests to consider

  • radiografia do joelho
  • RNM
  • RNM cinemática ou tomografia computadorizada (TC)
Full details

Treatment algorithm

INITIAL

dor aguda

ACUTE

mecânica anormal da articulação patelofemoral

problemas na cadeia cinética inferior

uso excessivo em atletas

ONGOING

tratamento pós-inicial e da fase de reativação

Contributors

Authors

Michael Fredericson, MD, FACSM
Michael Fredericson

Associate Professor and Director

Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Clinics

Stanford University

Stanford

CA

Disclosures

MF declares that he has no competing interests.

Acknowledgements

Dr Michael Fredericson would like to gratefully acknowledge Dr Jong In Lee and Dr Julia Arroyo, previous contributors to this topic. JIL and JA declare that they have no competing interests.

Peer reviewers

John Cianca, MD

Clinical Associate Professor

Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

Baylor College of Medicine

Houston

TX

Disclosures

JC declares that he has no competing interests.

John Halperin, MD

Physician

Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Group

La Mesa

San Diego

CA

Disclosures

JH declares that he has no competing interests.

Peer reviewer acknowledgements

BMJ Best Practice topics are updated on a rolling basis in line with developments in evidence and guidance. The peer reviewers listed here have reviewed the content at least once during the history of the topic.

Disclosures

Peer reviewer affiliations and disclosures pertain to the time of the review.

References

Our in-house evidence and editorial teams collaborate with international expert contributors and peer reviewers to ensure that we provide access to the most clinically relevant information possible.

Key articles

Fredericson M, Powers CM. Practical management of patellofemoral pain. Clin J Sport Med. 2002;12:36-38. Abstract

Earl JE, Vetter CS. Patellofemoral pain. Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. 2007;18:439-458,viii. Abstract

Fredericson M, Yoon K. Physical examination and patellofemoral pain syndrome: a review. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2006;85:234-243. Abstract

American College of Radiology. ACR Appropriateness Criteria. Chronic knee pain. 2018 [internet publication].Full text

Collins NJ, Bisset LM, Crossley KM, et al. Efficacy of nonsurgical interventions for anterior knee pain: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials. Sports Med. 2012;42:31-49. Abstract

Reference articles

A full list of sources referenced in this topic is available to users with access to all of BMJ Best Practice.

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