Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS)
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Basics
Description
- Pain in or around the patella that increases with increased patellar loading (prolonged sitting, squatting, kneeling, or ascending/descending stairs); not attributable to other causes
- Synonyms: anterior knee or retropatellar pain syndrome, chondromalacia patella, runner’s knee
- System(s) affected: musculoskeletal
Epidemiology
PrevalenceEtiology and Pathophysiology
Increased patellofemoral joint loading, which is often multifactorial: (3)
Risk Factors
- In a military population: quadriceps weakness
- In adolescents: increased hip adduction strength, although this may represent increased activity level
- Previously considered risk factors: age, height, weight, body mass index, body fat, Q angle, and hip weakness
General Prevention
Strengthening and stretching exercises, particularly hip abductors and terminal extension of the quadriceps
Commonly Associated Conditions
- Overuse
- Knee ligament injury/surgery
- Patellar tendinopathy
- Prolonged synovitis
- IT band friction syndrome
-- To view the remaining sections of this topic, please log in or purchase a subscription --
Basics
Description
- Pain in or around the patella that increases with increased patellar loading (prolonged sitting, squatting, kneeling, or ascending/descending stairs); not attributable to other causes
- Synonyms: anterior knee or retropatellar pain syndrome, chondromalacia patella, runner’s knee
- System(s) affected: musculoskeletal
Epidemiology
PrevalenceEtiology and Pathophysiology
Increased patellofemoral joint loading, which is often multifactorial: (3)
Risk Factors
- In a military population: quadriceps weakness
- In adolescents: increased hip adduction strength, although this may represent increased activity level
- Previously considered risk factors: age, height, weight, body mass index, body fat, Q angle, and hip weakness
General Prevention
Strengthening and stretching exercises, particularly hip abductors and terminal extension of the quadriceps
Commonly Associated Conditions
- Overuse
- Knee ligament injury/surgery
- Patellar tendinopathy
- Prolonged synovitis
- IT band friction syndrome
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