PFJP Features

• Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS)

  • generally defined by pain around the patellofemoral joint articulation, when there is an absence of a confirmed pathology
  • It is therefore, a diagnosis of exclusion
  • Most common knee problem - 22% prevalence in general population
  • Can be difficult to treat - 1/3 still have pain a year after starting treatment
• PFJP: Risk factors

  • Reduced gluteal strength
  • Reduced quads strength
  • 2:1 Female:male ratio
  • Altered knee position on movement
  • Altered foot posture
• PFJP: Typical features - Objective findings:

  • Pain reproduced with:
  • Palpation around patella
  • Compression of patella
  • Resisted mid range extension
  • Demo of aggravating movements
• PFJP: Typical features

  • Retropatella pain
  • Mechanical nature
  • Squatting, stairs, prolonged sitting
  • Eccentric > concentric loading
• PFJP: Proposed mechanism

  • Suboptimal strength/biomechanics which leads to
  • Reduced contact between patella and femur in the trochlea groove which leads to
  • Increased pressure which leads to
  • Pressure on the underlying subchondral bone causes pain