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Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS)

David L. Lee, MD and Rondy Michael Lazaro, MD Reviewed 05/2023
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Pain in or around the patella that is aggravated with increased patellar loading (e.g., prolonged sitting, squatting, kneeling, or ascending/descending stairs); not attributable to o...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • An accurate history to differentiate between pain and instability (pain quality, location, swelling, giving way, locking, grinding, inciting events, overuse, changes in activity/train...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Conservative therapy of physical therapy, rehabilitation, and NSAIDs is the gold standard  (4)[A].

  • Initial goal of therapy is to increase strength, flexibility, and ROM to ena...

ONGOING CARE

PATIENT EDUCATION

  • Patient education materials including home exercise programs may be provided but this should not be considered a replacement for formal physical therapy.

  • Educate patient o...

REFERENCES

1
Gaitonde D, Ericksen A, Robbins RC. Patellofemoral pain syndrome. Am Fam Physician. 2019;99(2):88-94.
2
Crossley  KM, Stefanik  JJ, Selfe  J, et al. 2016 Patellofemor...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Bolgla LA, Boling MC, Mace KL, et al. National Athletic Trainers' Association Position Statement: Management of Individuals With Patellofemoral Pain.  J Athl Train. 2018;...

SEE ALSO

Algorithm: Knee Pain 

CODES

ICD10

  • M25.569 Pain in unspecified knee

  • M25.561 Pain in right knee

  • M25.562 Pain in left knee

  • M25.869 Other specified joint disorders, unspecified knee

  • M25.862 Other specified joint disorders, left kne...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • PFPS is the most common cause of anterior knee pain in active adults.

  • The clinical diagnosis is made by an accurate history and physical exam.

  • Well-designed exercises geared at core, hip...

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