Overview of patellofemoral pain syndrome

Figure 1. Key points for patellofemoral pain syndrome.

[NB1]

Patellofemoral pain syndrome is a common cause of anterior knee pain in younger people (10 to 50 years of age).
It is not a precursor to osteoarthritis of the knee.
Diagnosis is clinical and investigations are not usually required.
Initial management is symptomatic.
A specific exercise program, combined with taping, orthoses or manual therapy, may be useful.

Note: NB1: This list is a summary guide only; refer to full text.

Patellofemoral pain syndrome refers to idiopathic pain arising from the anterior knee or patellofemoral region. It is one of the most common causes of knee pain in people between 10 to 50 years of age. Patellofemoral pain has an prevalence of approximately 23% of adults and 29% of adolescents in the general populationCollins, 2018.

In younger people, patellofemoral pain syndrome is not the same as osteoarthritis (OA), nor is it a precursor to developing OAWilly, 2019. In older people, patellofemoral OA is the most common cause of retropatellar pain and is often clinically identical to the patellofemoral pain syndrome.