Knee and kneecap pain

What is patellofemoral pain syndrome?

Patellofemoral pain syndrome is the medical term used when pain occurs at the front of the knee, around the kneecap (patella), without signs of any damage or other problems in the knee joint.

Patellofemoral pain syndrome may also be referred to as anterior knee pain, or runner's knee.

Knee cross-section with patella

The patella is the kneecap bone. It lies within the quadriceps tendon. This large tendon from the powerful thigh muscles (quadriceps) wraps round the patella and is attached to the top of the lower leg bone (tibia). The quadriceps muscles straighten the knee.

The back of the patella is covered with smooth cartilage. This helps the patella to glide smoothly over the lower part of the thighbone (femur) when you straighten your leg.

Patellofemoral pain is a general term used for pain in the front (anterior) of the knee. However, you might also see some terms referring to specific conditions causing anterior knee pain. These include:

• Chondromalacia patellae.

• Housemaid's knee (prepatellar bursitis).

• Osgood-Schlatter disease.

Other causes of knee pain can include:

• Knee ligament sprains.

• Knee cartilage injuries (meniscal tears).

• Osteoarthritis.

• Rheumatoid arthritis.

• Gout.

• Septic arthritis.

Knee pain can also be caused by hip problems.

Patellofemoral pain syndrome symptoms

Symptoms of patellofemoral pain syndrome include:

• Pain around the knee. The pain is felt at the front of the knee, around or behind the kneecap (patella). Often, the exact site of the pain cannot be pinpointed; instead the pain is felt vaguely at the front of the knee.

• The pain comes and goes.

• Both knees are often affected at the same time but one is usually worse than the other.

• The pain is typically worse when going up or, in particular, going down stairs.

• Running, especially downhill, squatting and certain sports can all set it off - anything that leads to the patella being compressed against the lower part of the thighbone.

• The pain may be brought on by sitting still for long periods. For example, after going to the cinema or for a long drive, when it will be worse when starting to move about again.

• There may be a grating or grinding feeling, or sounds in your knee when it bends and straightens. This is called crepitus. There may also be a clicking feel or sound.

• Sometimes there is puffiness or swelling around the kneecap.

• The range of motion of the knee is usually normal.

What causes patellofemoral pain syndrome?

It is probably due to a combination of different factors which increase the pressure between the kneecap (patella) and the lower part of the thighbone (femur). This may happen during running, cycling, squatting and going up and down stairs. It is likely that the cause is not the same in everyone affected.

Situations where this can occur include:

• Overuse of the knee, such as in certain sports - particularly at times of increased training.

• Cycling when the saddle is too low or too far forward.

• Some people may have a slight problem in the alignment of the patella where it moves over the lower femur. This may cause the patella to rub on, rather than glide over, the lower femur (this is known as maltracking). It may be due to the way the knee has developed. Or, it may be due to an imbalance in the muscles around the knee and hip - for example, the large quadriceps muscle above the knee and the muscles that stop the hips from tilting when standing on one leg.

• Weak hip muscles may cause patellofemoral pain by causing the thighbone to be slightly turned inwards, leading to the patella being pulled slightly to one side.

• Foot problems may also play a part - for example, where the feet do not have strong arches (flat feet). This makes the foot roll inwards (pronate), which means the knee has to compensate for the inward movement. However, it is unclear whether this causes the knee problems or may be caused by the knee problems.

• Injury to the knee - including repeated small injuries or stresses due to sports, or due to slack ligaments (hypermobile joints).

• Having obesity or being overweight, and wearing unsupportive footwear may also contribute to patellofemoral pain.

A combination of an alignment problem (see above) and overuse in sport is thought to be the most common reason for having patellofemoral pain.

How is patellofemoral pain syndrome diagnosed?

The diagnosis is made from your symptoms, the history of the problem, plus a physical examination of your knee.

Tests, such as X-rays or scans, cannot diagnose patellofemoral pain and are often not helpful. However, sometimes they might need to be done to diagnose maltracking or look for other conditions.

Patellofemoral pain syndrome treatment

In the short term

• Avoid strenuous use of the knee - until the pain eases. Symptoms usually improve in time if the knee is not overused. Aim to keep fit but to reduce the activities which cause the pain.

• Painkillers - paracetamol and/or anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen.

• Physiotherapy:

  • Improving the strength of the muscles around the knee and hip will ease the stress on the knee.

  • Specific exercises may help to correct problems with alignment and muscle balance around the knee. For example, you may be taught to do exercises which strengthen the muscles of the hip and buttock.

  • The physiotherapist can give advice tailored to your individual situation.

• Taping of the kneecap (patella) - this is a treatment which may reduce pain, but doesn't appear to have any long-term benefits. It involves adhesive tape being applied over the patella, to alter the alignment or the way the patella moves. Some people find this helpful. Some physiotherapists can offer patellar taping treatment.

In the longer term

• Treatment aims to treat some of the underlying causes - for example, by strengthening hip muscles and helping with foot problems:

  • Physiotherapy - a long-term home exercise programme, for at least one year.

  • Suitable footwear - for example, arch supports if you have flat feet; suitable shoes if you are running.

• Losing weight if your weight is above the recommend weight for your height is likely to help reduce pain.

Surgery is no longer recommended as first-line treatment for patellofemoral syndrome as the evidence suggests that most people do just as well - if not better - with non-surgical (conservative) treatment. However, surgery is still occasionally considered for people with anterior knee pain who do not respond to conservative treatment, depending on the diagnosis.

What is the outlook?

The outlook (prognosis) was thought to be good and that most people got better after 4-6 months with simple treatments such as physiotherapy. However, recent studies suggest that over 50% of people still report pain and difficulties with their knee 5-8 years after physiotherapy treatment. Ongoing research is looking into how this picture can be improved.