Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (10 Things You Should Know)

The patellofemoral pain syndrome is a common condition that affects people in all age groups. It is most common in athletes and is the most common cause of knee pain in the knee in patients who visit outpatient clinics. Although the condition is extremely common, we still do not know whether we are dealing with a single disease or, as some researchers claim, a “wastepaper basket” diagnosis with a collection of diseases with similar symptoms. The nebulous nature of the syndrome makes it challenging to diagnose and difficult to treat. Clinicians have come up with a plethora of clinical tests they use to diagnose patellofemoral pain syndrome. Many of these have been shown to be of little use. Radiographic findings do not always correlate with the patient’s symptoms, and not infrequently, the changes seen on X-rays of patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome are also found in people who are completely pain free. Here are some facts that can help illuminate the patellofemoral pain syndrome as a treatable disease.