What is Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

The patellofemoral pain syndrome, as its name indicates, consists in pain around the patella surface, and despite the simple description, is one of the most complex musculoskeletal conditions to treat. This syndrome occurs due to overuse, normally repetitive physical activity, jumping, squatting, running. Among the risk factors, there are lack of strength of the muscle especially quadriceps, there is a lack of good footwear, gait and kinematics. This syndrome can be diagnosed by x-ray, physical examination or differential diagnosis with other similar conditions. In the pronunciation these cases there is a 40% of recovery after one year. Symptoms are pain during activity, squatting and going upstairs. Also the individual might experience cracking and popping on the knee. This condition is treated by physiotherapists and musculoskeletal podiatrists. Conservatively this condition is managed with strengthening, stretching, taping, icing or with orthosis to control a bad gait pattern and footwear. Surgically this can be treated by an orthopaedics and they will perform an arthroscopy but it's not very common. This syndrome can be reversed after a period of resting and doing some exercises for rehabilitation but knowing all of the cases. The individuals affected by this syndrome should rest and avoid these activities that are causing the repetitive trauma. It can be prevented by strengthening the quadriceps, wearing appropriate footwear and training in soft surfaces and in In some studies it's been found that 50% of the population with patellofemoral pain syndrome will develop arthritis later in life.