Patellofemoral pain syndrome: evaluation and treatment

Patellofemoral pain is the most common knee problem encountered by primary care physicians. A complete understanding of the etiology, pathophysiology, and optimal treatment of patellofemoral pain syndrome is still lacking; hence, it can be a source of frustration for both the patient and the physician. The purpose of this article is to describe the current understanding of the etiology and pathophysiology of patellofemoral pain syndrome, highlight the important points in the clinical evaluation of patients who have anterior knee pain, and describe the evidence to support the commonly prescribed treatments.