Definition:

Patellofemoral pain syndrome is pain in the front of the knee. It frequently occurs in teenagers, manual laborers, and athletes. It sometimes is caused by wearing down, roughening, or softening of the cartilage under the kneecap. Patellofemoral pain syndrome may be caused by overuse, injury, excess weight, a kneecap that is not properly aligned (patellar tracking disorder), or changes under the kneecap.

Symptoms:

• Pain in the knee with running, walking, stair climbing, or sitting for a long time
• Stiffness in the knee

Causes:

• Abnormal forces (increased pull of the lateral quadriceps)
• Fracture
• Internal knee derangement
• OA of the knee
• Bony tumors
• Usually occurs in runners, bicyclists, basketball players, young athletes and females

Treatment:

• ROM and stretching
• Knee stabilization strengthening
• Lower extremity strengthening exercise