Anterior Knee Pain
- previously called chondromalacia patellae
- joint
malalignment
with abnormal articular contact pressures
- produces a dull, aching anterior
knee pain around patella, especially with
prolonged sitting (due to
quadriceps tension that compresses the infrapatellar surface downward onto the
femoral condyles) and descending
stairs
- with knee extended, pull patella
downwards and hold firmly, ask patient to tighten quads; positive test
produces pain behind patella
- x-rays should include "skyline"
view
- treat by VMO (vastus medialis oblique) strengthening and patella
centralizing braces
CHLA Board Review 2005