Patellofemoral Pain

Knee - Pathology

Patellofemoral pain is anterior knee pain commonly aggravated by squatting, stairs, or prolonged sitting.

Biomechanical Mechanism

Poor patellar tracking due to hip weakness, dynamic valgus, and quad dominance increases joint stress.

Clinical Rationale

Dynamic valgus and quad dominance elevate patellofemoral stress. Correcting these factors improves symptoms.

Practical Solution

Improve hip control and patellar tracking while reducing pain-provoking load.

Common Compensations

• Knee valgus
• Quad dominance
• Reduced squat depth

Correctives

• Glute strengthening
• VMO activation
• Movement pattern retraining

Progression

1. Level 1: Pain-free activation
2. Level 2: Controlled squats
3. Level 3: Single-leg control
4. Level 4: Return to impact

Regression

• Reduce depth
• Avoid pain
• Use assisted patterns

Red Flags

• Severe swelling
• Locking
• Acute trauma

Differential Diagnosis

• Patellar tendinopathy
• Chondromalacia
• Meniscal pathology

Related Patterns

• knee valgus
• gluteal amnesia

Related Exercises

• terminal knee extension
• glute bridge
• clamshell

Related Assessments

• single leg squat assessment
• overhead squat assessment
• hip abduction strength assessment