Patellofemoral pain syndrome is defined as knee pain resulting from mechanical and biochemical changes to the patellofemoral joint.

one of the most common disorders of the knee, accounting for 25% of knee injuries seen in a sports medicine clinic.

Aetiology:

• Multifactoral -
  • abnormal patellofemoral joint mechanics - bony/structural abnormality
  • lower kinetic chain alterations - e.g. altered gait
  • overuse

Risk factors:

• Bone and structural abnormalities
• ITT tightness
• Abnormal patellar mobility
• Qudriceps muscle weakness
• Hip internal rotation
• Gait deviations

PC

• Ill-defined ache - localised to anterior knee behind patella
• Pain aggrevated by compressive force

On examination:

• Pain on patella palpation
• Patellar tilt test - Place thumb and index finger on medial and lateral border of patella, Look for patella tilt
• Patella apprehension test - Lateral movement of the patella results in the patient becoming apprehensive at the point of maximum passive displacement.