Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome in Athletes

Patellofemoral pain is seen frequently in young and physically active people. The incidence in primary care for the young adult age is about 10 to 12 new cases per 1000 patients per year, while in sports medicine practice, its prevalence may well be around 25%1. The palette of complaints is varied, from mild short-term pain to long-term and load-dependent pain, leading to functional restriction. Patellofemoral pain has been considered as a separate entity for decades, although various names have been used for the condition. Chondromalacia patellae, patellar chondropathy and anterior knee pain have been used interchangeably. Over the last 10 years there has been consensus to refer to these complaints as ‘patellofemoral pain syndrome’ (PFPS). The condition is characterised by perior retro-patellar pain which occurs during loaded bending of the knee (like in climbing stairs, cycling or other activities), during prolonged sitting with bended knees or kneeling. Specific causes of knee pain such as patellar tendinopathy, Osgood Schlatter’s disease, intra-articular injuries, osteoarthritis2 are to be ruled out in this clinical picture. It is assumed that patellofemoral pain has a favourable prognosis. However, in a sporty and active population, this assumption is to be questioned. A number of studies show that even after several years, 30 to 50% of patients with patellofemoral pain are not free of symptoms3.