Patellofemoral pain syndrome

Question 1

What is patellofemoral pain syndrome?

Answer 1

This is a form of idiopathic adolescent anterior knee pain (Patellofemoral dysfunction)

Question 2

What is the supposed underlying aetiology of patellofemoral pain syndrome?

Answer 2

It is more common in females than males
It is thought to be caused by muscle imbalance, ligamentous laxity and subtle skeletal predisposition

Question 3

What are some subtle skeletal conditions that predispose to patellofemoral pain syndrome?

Answer 3

Genu valgum (Knock knees)
Wide hips
Femoral neck anteversion
Internal rotation
Chondromalacia patellae (Softening of the patellar hyaline cartilage

Question 4

What investigations are required in management of patellofemoral pain syndrome?

Answer 4

It is always important to examine the hips in cases of knee pain, as often hip dysfunction will present with knee pain
Radiography is also commonly indicated to rule out other pathology

Question 5

What is the management indicated in patellofemoral pain syndrome?

Answer 5

The majority of cases of patellofemoral pain syndrome are self-limiting and patients will often grow out of it

Physiotherapy is often indicated to relief pain

Occasionally, resistant cases may require surgery to shift the forces away from the patella (tibial tubercle transfer), however, results of this can be unpredictable