The patella (kneecap) is a floating bone that sits in a groove of the femur (thigh bone) to form the patellofemoral joint. This joint is a finely balanced system; the direction that the kneecap tracks in the groove is dependent on many factors. Patellofemoral Syndrome (PFS) is a condition caused by an imbalance in the joint, which results in pain at the top of the knee.
The quadriceps (thigh) muscle tendon crosses over the patella and affects the direction the kneecap is pulled. Other tissues also attach to the joint and affect its alignment and function. Some causes of imbalance include faulty lower extremity alignment, including excessive pronation of the foot, knock knees and kneecaps that face inward. Other factors may be weak hip and quadriceps muscles, or decreased calf, quadriceps and hamstring flexibility.
Patellofemoral pain responds very well to physical therapy and rarely needs surgery. Treatment may include:
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