Pain felt at the front of the knee originates most often from the patellofemoral joint, or the area where the kneecap rubs on the thighbone. There is a large amount of force that is transmitted through this joint with four times your body weight passing through it when you descend stairs. The pain is often worse with stairs or inclines. It can also hurt when standing after being seated for a time.
There are a number of predisposing factors including family history of anterior knee pain, previous injury to the joint, generalised laxity of your ligaments and being overweight.
The majority of patients with this problem do not require surgery. An exercise programme aimed at strengthening the inner quads, stretching lateral structures an achieving a healthy weight range will usually settle the problem. If not our surgeons can assist in the assessment of the problem and advise appropriate management.
