Patellofemoral pain syndrome – a review of causes, diagnosis and management

Introduction: Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a common cause of anterior knee pain, especially in young and physically active individuals. It manifests itself with diffuse pain around the patella, which intensifies during flexion activities such as squatting, running or descending stairs. De...

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Main Authors: Aneta Tkaczyk, Alicja Czyszczoń, Bartosz Maczkowski, Szymon Mikler, Magdalena Mandyna, Marek Dróżdż, Wiktoria Boral
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń 2025-08-01
Series:Quality in Sport
Subjects:
Online Access:https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/62830
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author Aneta Tkaczyk
Alicja Czyszczoń
Bartosz Maczkowski
Szymon Mikler
Magdalena Mandyna
Marek Dróżdż
Wiktoria Boral
author_facet Aneta Tkaczyk
Alicja Czyszczoń
Bartosz Maczkowski
Szymon Mikler
Magdalena Mandyna
Marek Dróżdż
Wiktoria Boral
author_sort Aneta Tkaczyk
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a common cause of anterior knee pain, especially in young and physically active individuals. It manifests itself with diffuse pain around the patella, which intensifies during flexion activities such as squatting, running or descending stairs. Despite the lack of unequivocal structural changes, PFPS can lead to chronic pain and limited joint function. Aim of the study: The aim of the study is to review current data on the pathophysiology, diagnostics (clinical and imaging) and treatment strategies for PFPS, with particular emphasis on prognosis and relapse prevention. Materials and methods: A review of the literature from the last 10 years was conducted from the PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar databases. English and Polish-language papers on diagnostics, conservative and surgical treatment and prevention were included. State of knowledge: The main factors of PFPS are biomechanical disorders (e.g. increased Q angle, VMO weakness). Conservative treatment (physiotherapy, education, taping) is the basis. Surgical treatment is considered in resistant cases. Symptom recurrence is frequent, hence the importance of prevention. Conclusion: Effective PFPS therapy requires an individual and multifaceted approach, combining physiotherapy, education and, when necessary, surgical treatment.
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spelling doaj-art-40c4c78f8a0245bdb9303d8a6ee617f92025-08-20T03:59:35ZengNicolaus Copernicus University in ToruńQuality in Sport2450-31182025-08-014410.12775/QS.2025.44.62830Patellofemoral pain syndrome – a review of causes, diagnosis and managementAneta Tkaczyk0https://orcid.org/0009-0005-3085-663XAlicja Czyszczońhttps://orcid.org/0009-0009-1305-6971Bartosz Maczkowskihttps://orcid.org/0009-0008-1693-8446Szymon Miklerhttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-5636-6843Magdalena Mandynahttps://orcid.org/0009-0006-4728-4436Marek Dróżdżhttps://orcid.org/0009-0007-1737-151XWiktoria Boralhttps://orcid.org/0009-0007-6047-2033Podhalański Szpital Specjalistyczny w Nowym Targu Introduction: Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a common cause of anterior knee pain, especially in young and physically active individuals. It manifests itself with diffuse pain around the patella, which intensifies during flexion activities such as squatting, running or descending stairs. Despite the lack of unequivocal structural changes, PFPS can lead to chronic pain and limited joint function. Aim of the study: The aim of the study is to review current data on the pathophysiology, diagnostics (clinical and imaging) and treatment strategies for PFPS, with particular emphasis on prognosis and relapse prevention. Materials and methods: A review of the literature from the last 10 years was conducted from the PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar databases. English and Polish-language papers on diagnostics, conservative and surgical treatment and prevention were included. State of knowledge: The main factors of PFPS are biomechanical disorders (e.g. increased Q angle, VMO weakness). Conservative treatment (physiotherapy, education, taping) is the basis. Surgical treatment is considered in resistant cases. Symptom recurrence is frequent, hence the importance of prevention. Conclusion: Effective PFPS therapy requires an individual and multifaceted approach, combining physiotherapy, education and, when necessary, surgical treatment. https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/62830Patellofemoral Pain Syndromepfpsanterior knee paindiagnostics
spellingShingle Aneta Tkaczyk
Alicja Czyszczoń
Bartosz Maczkowski
Szymon Mikler
Magdalena Mandyna
Marek Dróżdż
Wiktoria Boral
Patellofemoral pain syndrome – a review of causes, diagnosis and management
Quality in Sport
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
pfps
anterior knee pain
diagnostics
title Patellofemoral pain syndrome – a review of causes, diagnosis and management
title_full Patellofemoral pain syndrome – a review of causes, diagnosis and management
title_fullStr Patellofemoral pain syndrome – a review of causes, diagnosis and management
title_full_unstemmed Patellofemoral pain syndrome – a review of causes, diagnosis and management
title_short Patellofemoral pain syndrome – a review of causes, diagnosis and management
title_sort patellofemoral pain syndrome a review of causes diagnosis and management
topic Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
pfps
anterior knee pain
diagnostics
url https://apcz.umk.pl/QS/article/view/62830
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