Anterior Knee Pain

🦵 Anterior Knee Pain (Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome – PFPS)

Anterior knee pain means pain in the front of the knee, usually around or behind the kneecap (patella).

Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) happens when the kneecap doesn’t move smoothly in its groove over the thigh bone (femur), causing irritation and inflammation.

It’s often called “Runner’s Knee.”

---

🧠 What’s Actually Happening?

Your kneecap is supposed to glide up and down in a small groove when you bend your knee.

When:

• The muscles around the hip or thigh are weak

• The kneecap tracks slightly off-center

• There’s overuse from repetitive activity

👉 The cartilage and soft tissue become irritated
👉 Pain develops behind or around the kneecap

No major tear. No broken bone. Just mechanical irritation.

---

⚠️ Common Causes

• 🏃 Running (especially downhill)

• 🧎 Squatting

• 🪜 Going up or down stairs

• 🏋️ Overtraining

• Weak quadriceps or hip muscles

• Flat feet or poor alignment

• Sudden increase in activity

It’s very common in:

• Athletes

• Teenagers

• Military recruits

• People who sit long hours

---

🔍 Symptoms

• Dull, aching pain in the front of the knee

• Pain when going down stairs

• Pain after sitting for a long time (“movie theater sign”)

• Clicking or grinding feeling

• Knee feels stiff but not unstable

Usually no major swelling.

---

🧪 How It’s Diagnosed

Mostly by:

• Physical exam

• Movement tests

• Checking muscle strength and alignment

X-rays are often normal.

---

🔄 Is It Serious?

Good news —
💚 It is NOT permanent joint damage in most cases.

But if ignored, it can become chronic.

---

🛠️ Treatment

The fix is usually conservative:

• 🧊 Ice after activity

• 💊 Anti-inflammatory medication (if appropriate)

• 🏋️ Strengthening quads + hip muscles

• 🦶 Correcting foot mechanics (orthotics if needed)

• ⏳ Temporary activity modification

Most people improve in 6–12 weeks with proper rehab.

---

💥 Bottom Line

Anterior knee pain is:

• Common

• Usually caused by overuse or muscle imbalance

• Treatable with strengthening and rest

It’s frustrating — but very fixable.