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Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome Updated 4/2011

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BASICS

  • Description
  • Epidemiology
  • Risk Factors
  • General Prevention
  • Pathophysiology
  • Etiology
  • Associated Conditions

DIAGNOSIS

  • Signs and Symptoms
  • Tests
  • Differential Diagnosis

TREATMENT

  • Medication (Drugs)
  • Additional Treatment
  • Surgery

Ongoing Care

  • Patient Education
The following is an excerpt....
BASICS
Description
  • Peri- or retropatellar pain resulting from biomechanical forces in the patellofemoral joint
  • System(s) affected: Musculoskeletal
Epidemiology
Prevalence
  • May affect 25% of athletes (1)
  • Common in adolescents
  • More commonly affects females vs. males
Risk Factors
  • Excessive Q angle (>20 degrees) (2)[B]
  • Weakness of the quadriceps and/or hip abductors (2)[B]
  • Tightness of the iliotibial (IT) band (2)[B]
  • Inflexibility of the hamstrings, quadriceps, or hip flexors (2)[B]
  • Generalized ligamentous laxity (2)[B]
  • Lateral retinacular tightness (2)[B]
Genetics

Unknown

General Prevention
  • Injury prevention program for those with potential risk factors
  • In runners, wearing properly fitting footwear
  • Proper training programs with appropriate slow increases in mileage
Pathophysiology

Repetitive contact of the undersurface of the patella against ...

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See Also
Images >
Knee joint injuries: torn ligaments, ACL ruptures, PCL ruptures. Credit: From Moore KL, PhD, FRSM, FIAC & Dalley AF II, PhD. Clinical Oriented Anatomy (4th ed.). Baltimore, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 1999.
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