Current Concepts in the Management of Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

Introduction

Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is one of the leading causes of knee pain, manifesting itself during daily life activities. This study presents a review on PFPS treatment modalities.

Materials and methods

State of the art review on the treatment of PFPS with grades of recommendation. Active and passive conservative interventions are reviewed, as well as surgical alternatives.

Results

Hip and lower-limb muscle strengthening and stretching are active interventions that provide long-lasting benefits. Passive interventions include patellofemoral joint bracing, kinesiotaping and foot orthoses, and are considered useful coadjuvants to active interventions, with quick relief for patients but usually in the short term. Surgical treatment is only recommended in a small subset of patients with specific anatomic abnormalities in the patellofemoral joint.

Discussion

Conservative treatment remains as the mainstream in the management of patellofemoral pain syndrome.

Level of Evidence

IV, Clinical Review.