Patellofemoral pain
Disease Information
Overview
Pain around the front of the knee is often referred to as patellofemoral pain. This pain may be caused by
- soft cartilage under the kneecap (the patella)
- referred pain from another area such as the back or hip
- soft tissues around the front of the knee
- abnormal alignment of the kneecap
How Boston Children's Hospital approaches patellofemoral pain
Treatment for your child's patellofemoral pain will depend on the underlying cause. At Children's, doctors emphasize the use of exercise to strengthen and stabilize the knee as well as the surrounding muscles. Surgery is recommended in only the most severe cases of patellofemoral pain.
