Patellofemoral Syndrome

Patellofemoral syndrome refers to pain in or around the knee cap (patella). It is one of the most common disorders of the knee, accounting for up to one in every four knee injuries. The pain typically occurs with activity and often worsens when going up or down stairs, squatting, kneeling or running. It may also be aggravated by long periods of sitting with the knees bent. One or both knees can be affected. Patellofemoral syndrome affects females more than males and occurs most frequently in adolescents and young adults.

Patellofemoral syndrome can often be caused by knock knees, imbalance in muscle pull, overloading/overusing the knee joint and/or excessive pronation of the foot.

The basic principles for the management of patellofemoral syndrome are:

• Restricting the rate of pronation and weight bearing toward the midline of the lower limbs using foot orthoses
• Restoring muscle balance within the quadriceps group
• Improving range of motion
• Restricting any contributory physical activity