Anterior Knee

Clinics in Sports Medicine, 2014

The open orthopaedics journal, 2012

Anterior knee pain is a common presenting complaint, and in many cases no identifiable cause can be found. In these circumstances it is commonly known as anterior knee pain syndrome or patellofemoral pain syndrome. The management for this condition is most commonly non-operative. Treatment strategies include physiotherapy, pharmacotherapy, orthoses and combinations of the above. There are many described methods in the literature with a wide spectrum of outcomes, which in itself is testimony to the lack of any generally accepted gold standard of care for these patients. It is thus unclear to the health care professional treating these patients which is the best treatment to offer. In this review we aim to summarise historical and most up to date literature on the subject and in so doing allow the health care professional pick whichever treatment strategy they feel most beneficial and also provide a guide for appropriate patient education.

Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 2005

Anterior knee pain is a frequent clinical problem. It provides a common challenge to diagnose and manage. Basic science studies have provided insight into the origin of anterior knee pain and refined understanding of the anatomy. Clinical evaluation has progressively focused on the contribution of the entire lower extremity to patellofemoral function. Nonsurgical management has been refined by the concept of the ″envelope of function″ and by increased understanding of the neuromuscular control of the knee. Indications for lateral release have been clarified and narrowed. Although anteromedial transfer of the tibial tuberosity is helpful in certain circumstances, reports of postoperative fracture have led to less aggressive rehabilitation protocols. Chondral resurfacing of the patellofemoral joint and patellofemoral arthroplasty are evolving. Emphasis should remain on nonsurgical management, which is sufficient in most patients.

Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine, 2002

Sports Medicine - Open

Anterior knee pain (AKP) is one of the most common conditions to bring active young patients to a sports injury clinic. It is a heterogeneous condition related to multiple causative factors. Compared to the general population, there appears to be a higher risk of development of patellofemoral osteoarthritis in patients with AKP. AKP can be detrimental to the patient’s quality of life and, in the larger context, significantly burdens the economy with high healthcare costs. This study aims to present a comprehensive evaluation of AKP to improve clinical daily practice. The causes of AKP can be traced not only to structures within and around the knee, but also to factors outside the knee, such as limb malalignment, weakness of specific hip muscle groups, and core and ligamentous laxity. Hence, AKP warrants a pointed evaluation of history and thorough clinical examination, complemented with relevant radiological investigations to identify its origin in the knee and its cause. Conservati...

European Journal of Radiology, 2007

Anterior knee pain is a common complain in all ages athletes. It may be caused by a large variety of injuries. There is a continuum of diagnoses and most of the disorders are closely related. Repeated minor trauma and overuse play an important role for the development of lesions in Hoffa's pad, extensor mechanism, lateral and medial restrain structures or cartilage surface, however usually an increase or change of activity is referred. Although the direct relation of cartilage lesions, especially chondral, and pain is a subject of debate these lesions may be responsible of early osteoarthrosis and can determine athlete's prognosis. The anatomy and biomechanics of patellofemoral joint is complex and symptoms are often unspecific. Transient patellar dislocation has MR distinct features that provide evidence of prior dislocation and rules our complication. However, anterior knee pain more often is related to overuse and repeated minor trauma. Patella and quadriceps tendon have been also implicated in anterior knee pain, as well as lateral or medial restraint structures and Hoffa's pad. US and MR are excellent tools for the diagnosis of superficial tendons, the advantage of MR is that permits to rule out other sources of intraarticular derangements. Due to the complex anatomy and biomechanic of patellofemoral joint maltracking is not fully understood; plain films and CT allow the study of malalignment, new CT and MR kinematic studies have promising results but further studies are needed. Our purpose here is to describe how imaging techniques can be helpful in precisely defining the origin of the patient's complaint and thus improve understanding and management of these injuries.

The Knee, 2013

In this review the evidence for the management of patients with patellofemoral disorders is presented confined to anterior knee pain and patellar dislocation (excluding patellofemoral arthritis). Patients present along a spectrum of these two problems and are best managed with both problems considered. The key to managing these patients is by improving muscle function, the patient losing weight (if overweight), and judicious use of analgesics if pain is an important feature. Hypermobility syndrome should always be looked for since this is a prognostic indicator for a poor operative outcome. Operations should be reserved for those with correctable anatomical abnormalities that have failed conservative therapy. The current dominant operation is a medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction.

Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine, 2019

Purpose of Review Patellofemoral pain is the most common cause of anterior knee pain. The purpose of this review is to examine the latest research on risk factors, physical examination, and treatment of patellofemoral pain to improve accuracy of diagnosis and increase use of efficacious treatment modalities. Recent Findings The latest research suggests patellofemoral pain pathophysiology is a combination of biomechanical, behavioral, and psychological factors. Research into targeted exercise therapy and other conservative therapy modalities have shown efficacy especially when used in combination. New techniques such as blood flow restriction therapy, gait retraining, and acupuncture show promise but require further well-designed studies. Summary Patellofemoral pain is most commonly attributed to altered stress to the patellofemoral joint from intrinsic knee factors, alterations in the kinetic chain, or errors in training. Diagnosis can be made with a thorough assessment of clinical history and risk factors, and a comprehensive physical examination. The ideal treatment is a combination of conservative treatment modalities ideally individualized to the risk factors identified in each patient. Ongoing research should continue to identify biomechanical risk factors and new treatments as well as look for more efficient ways to identify patients who are amenable to treatments.

The Knee, 2013

Background: This study was devised to examine the effect of a novel biomechanical therapy for patients suffering from anterior knee pain (AKP). Methods: A retrospective analysis of 48 patients suffering from AKP was performed. Patients underwent a gait evaluation, using an electronic walkway mat, and completed the SF-36 health survey and the WOMAC questionnaire at baseline and after 3 and 6 months of therapy. A special biomechanical device was individually calibrated for each patient. AposTherapy is a functional, non-invasive rehabilitation therapy consisting of a biomechanical foot-worn device that is used during activities of daily living. Repeated measures analyses were performed to compare gait parameters and self-evaluation questionnaires between baseline, 3 months and 6 months. Results: Walking velocity significantly increased by 5.7 cm/s, cadence increased by 1.6 steps/minute, and stride length increased by 3.4 cm in relation to pretreatment testing (pb 0.001 for all). End-point evaluation revealed additional improvement of these parameters; however these did not significantly differ from that of mid-treatment. Pain decreased by 36.6% and 49.2% following 13 and 26 weeks of treatment, respectively (Pb 0.01) and function improved by 25.2% and 41.7% following 13 and 26 weeks of treatment, respectively (P=0.01). Conclusions: Based on the current study's results it may be concluded that this therapy might have a positive effect for patients with AKP.

Background and Objectives Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee is a highly prevalent condition among adults, characterized by the progressive destruction of the cartilage that lines the knee joints, the subchondral bone surfaces, and synovium, accompanied by pain, immobility, muscle weakness, and reduction in function and the ability to complete activities of daily living (ADLs). Two types of OA of the knee are recognized: the more prevalent primary OA of the knee is the result of the progressive joint cartilage destruction over time, whereas secondary OA of the knee can be caused by trauma, inactivity, overweight, or a disease process such as rheumatoid arthritis. No evidence suggests that the two types are treated differently or respond differently to treatments. 1 Therefore, the remainder of this report treats the two conditions as one entity. The clinical diagnosis of OA of the knee is typically based on presentation, including insidious onset of weight-bearing knee pain that is exacerbated by use of the joint and relieved by rest, and that tends to worsen over the course of the day. Radiographic evidence of OA may precede symptomatic OA but may not correlate with symptom severity. Radiologic severity can be estimated and expressed using the Kellgren and Lawrence (K-L) criteria. However, a number of Purpose of Review To assess the effectiveness of several treatments for osteoarthritis of the knee. Key Messages The treatment modalities selected for inclusion in this review reflect a combination of the findings of the environmental scan, the TEP for the Surveillance process, the public comments, and the TEP for this review. These modalities include glucosamine and chondroitin, cellbased therapie, physical interventions, weight loss, home-based therapies, and self-management. As a 2012 SR by another EPC reviewed the effects of the physical interventions, 7 we made the decision that as part of this review, we would update the findings of that review. Topics not included in the current report (e.g., intraarticular corticosteroids, SNRIs, topical agents, and acupuncture, as well as HA) may need to be addressed in a future review. The protocol has been published on the AHRQ Effective Health Care Web site (http://effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/ index.cfm/search-for-guides-reviews-and-reports/?pageacti on=displayproduct&productid=2247). Key Questions Based on the findings of the environmental scan, TEP assessments, and public comments, the Key Questions from the 2007 report were revised as follows. Key Question 1a: What is the clinical effectiveness of cell-based therapies, oral glucosamine and/or chondroitin, physical treatment interventions, weight loss, or home-based and self-management therapies in patients with OA of the knee, compared with appropriate placebo/sham controls or compared with other active interventions? Key Question 1b: How do the outcomes of each intervention differ by the following population and study characteristics: sex, disease subtype (lateral, patellofemoral), severity (stage/baseline pain and functional status), weight status (body mass index), baseline fitness (activity level), comorbidities, prior or concurrent treatments (including self-initiated therapies), and treatment duration or intensity? Key Question 2a: What harms are associated with each intervention in patients with OA of the knee? Key Question 2b: How do the harms associated with each intervention differ by the following population or study characteristics: sex, disease subtype (lateral tibiofemoral, patellofemoral), severity (stage/baseline pain and functional status), weight status (body mass index), baseline fitness (activity level), comorbidities, prior or concurrent treatments (including self-initiated therapies), and treatment duration or intensity? Analytic Framework The review was guided by the analytic framework shown in Figure A.