Corpus3D

Knee

Patellofemoral pain syndrome

Mechanism
A disturbed balance between load and load capacity of the patellofemoral joint. Increased training volume, reduced hip abductor strength and a large Q-angle often play a part.
Recognition
Poorly localised pain around or behind the patella, increasing on stairs, squatting and prolonged sitting with bent knees. The guideline calls the latter the theatre sign.
Course
The guideline puts the incidence at about a quarter to a third of all knee injuries, peaking between 20 and 35 years and most common in runners, and more often in women than men.
What the guideline recommends
Crepitus is not a criterion: the guideline notes it occurs in more than half of people without knee complaints. Palpation of the patellar facets and assessment of leg alignment do belong to the examination.

Structures

Joints involved

Sources