Patellofemoral Dysfunction (knee)

Question 1

what does patellofemoral dysfunction describe

Answer 1

disorders of patellofemoral articulation resulting in anterior knee pain

Question 2

what are some diagnoses it encompasses

Answer 2

chondromalacia patellae (softening of the hyaline cartilage), adolescent anterior knee pain and lateral patellar compression syndrome

Question 3

what do patients complain of

Answer 3

• anterior knee pain
• worse going downhill
• grinding or clicking sensation at the front of the knee
• stiffness after prolonged sitting (causing pseudo-locking)

Question 4

what do the vast majority of patients improve with

Answer 4

physio aimed at rebalancing the quadriceps muscles (specifically strengthening vastus medialis obliquus, VMO)

Question 5

what else can alleviate symptoms

Answer 5

taping

Question 6

when is surgery used

Answer 6

last resort

Question 7

what is the success rate of surgery

Answer 7

70%

Question 8

what does surgery involve

Answer 8

releasing a tight lateral retinaculum or if there is a relatively lateralised tibial tubercle (a tibial tubercle transfer to aid patellar tracking)