Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFS) is pain in the knee due to increased pressure between the kneecap (patella) and the thigh bone (femur). Usually a result of poor alignment or sudden growth spurts, this pain may also come from an injury to the knee. The patella sits in a groove (trochlea) of the thigh bone and moves up and down as the leg bends and straightens. Pain can result when the kneecap moves side to side. Signs and Symptoms

pain around or underneath the kneecap pain that gets worse with standing or sitting for long periods pain when jumping, running, squatting or climbing stairs usually achy pain but it can also be sharp the knee feels like it gives way or catches

Increased Risk

tight or weak muscles in the leg and hip poor warm-up before activity flat feet sports that involve running, jumping or squatting poorly formed trochlea at birth recent growth spurt

Treatment

Medicine

Anti-inflammatory medicines, such as ibuprofen (Motrin® or Advil®) or naproxen (Aleve®) may be recommended. Take these as directed by your health care provider. Other minor pain relivers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®), may be used.

Use of cold and heat

Cold should be applied for 10 to 15 minutes every 2 to 3 hours and after any activity that makes symptoms worse. Use ice packs or an ice massage. Heat should not be used on a new injury but may be used before doing stretching and strengthening activities prescribed by your health care provider or athletic trainer. Use a heat pack or a warm soak. Apply for 10 to 15 minutes.

Rehab

Rehab exercises to improve strength and flexibility in the hip and leg are helpful to improve pain and function. These are often done under supervision of a physical therapist or athletic trainer.

Orthopedic aids

A brace may be recommended to help the kneecap track properly. An arch support (orthotic) may be recommended for those with flat feet.

How to Prevent

Do correct warm-up and stretching before practice or competition and use proper technique. Gradually increase training intensity. Maintain thigh, knee and lower leg flexibility, conditioning, muscle strength and endurance. Wear arch supports if you have flat feet.

When to Call the Health Care Provider Call your health care provider or the Sports Medicine team at 614-355-6000 if:

symptoms get worse or do not improve after 6 to 8 weeks despite treatment new, unexplained systems develop 

Sports Medicine: Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFS) (PDF) HH-I-506 ©2021, Nationwide Children’s Hospital

Schedule an Appointment
Schedule a Sports Medicine Appointment Online

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFS) is pain in the knee due to increased pressure between the kneecap (patella) and the thigh bone (femur). Usually a result of poor alignment or sudden growth spurts, this pain may also come from an injury to the knee. The patella sits in a groove (trochlea) of the thigh bone and moves up and down as the leg bends and straightens. Pain can result when the kneecap moves side to side. Signs and Symptoms

pain around or underneath the kneecap pain that gets worse with standing or sitting for long periods pain when jumping, running, squatting or climbing stairs usually achy pain but it can also be sharp the knee feels like it gives way or catches

Increased Risk

tight or weak muscles in the leg and hip poor warm-up before activity flat feet sports that involve running, jumping or squatting poorly formed trochlea at birth recent growth spurt

Treatment

Medicine

Anti-inflammatory medicines, such as ibuprofen (Motrin® or Advil®) or naproxen (Aleve®) may be recommended. Take these as directed by your health care provider. Other minor pain relivers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®), may be used.

Use of cold and heat

Cold should be applied for 10 to 15 minutes every 2 to 3 hours and after any activity that makes symptoms worse. Use ice packs or an ice massage. Heat should not be used on a new injury but may be used before doing stretching and strengthening activities prescribed by your health care provider or athletic trainer. Use a heat pack or a warm soak. Apply for 10 to 15 minutes.

Rehab

Rehab exercises to improve strength and flexibility in the hip and leg are helpful to improve pain and function. These are often done under supervision of a physical therapist or athletic trainer.

Orthopedic aids

A brace may be recommended to help the kneecap track properly. An arch support (orthotic) may be recommended for those with flat feet.

How to Prevent

Do correct warm-up and stretching before practice or competition and use proper technique. Gradually increase training intensity. Maintain thigh, knee and lower leg flexibility, conditioning, muscle strength and endurance. Wear arch supports if you have flat feet.

When to Call the Health Care Provider Call your health care provider or the Sports Medicine team at 614-355-6000 if:

symptoms get worse or do not improve after 6 to 8 weeks despite treatment new, unexplained systems develop 

Sports Medicine: Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFS) (PDF) HH-I-506 ©2021, Nationwide Children’s Hospital

Schedule an Appointment
Schedule a Sports Medicine Appointment Online

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFS) is pain in the knee due to increased pressure between the kneecap (patella) and the thigh bone (femur). Usually a result of poor alignment or sudden growth spurts, this pain may also come from an injury to the knee. The patella sits in a groove (trochlea) of the thigh bone and moves up and down as the leg bends and straightens. Pain can result when the kneecap moves side to side. Signs and Symptoms

pain around or underneath the kneecap pain that gets worse with standing or sitting for long periods pain when jumping, running, squatting or climbing stairs usually achy pain but it can also be sharp the knee feels like it gives way or catches

Increased Risk

tight or weak muscles in the leg and hip poor warm-up before activity flat feet sports that involve running, jumping or squatting poorly formed trochlea at birth recent growth spurt

Treatment

Medicine

Anti-inflammatory medicines, such as ibuprofen (Motrin® or Advil®) or naproxen (Aleve®) may be recommended. Take these as directed by your health care provider. Other minor pain relivers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®), may be used.

Use of cold and heat

Cold should be applied for 10 to 15 minutes every 2 to 3 hours and after any activity that makes symptoms worse. Use ice packs or an ice massage. Heat should not be used on a new injury but may be used before doing stretching and strengthening activities prescribed by your health care provider or athletic trainer. Use a heat pack or a warm soak. Apply for 10 to 15 minutes.

Rehab

Rehab exercises to improve strength and flexibility in the hip and leg are helpful to improve pain and function. These are often done under supervision of a physical therapist or athletic trainer.

Orthopedic aids

A brace may be recommended to help the kneecap track properly. An arch support (orthotic) may be recommended for those with flat feet.

How to Prevent

Do correct warm-up and stretching before practice or competition and use proper technique. Gradually increase training intensity. Maintain thigh, knee and lower leg flexibility, conditioning, muscle strength and endurance. Wear arch supports if you have flat feet.

When to Call the Health Care Provider Call your health care provider or the Sports Medicine team at 614-355-6000 if:

symptoms get worse or do not improve after 6 to 8 weeks despite treatment new, unexplained systems develop 

Sports Medicine: Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFS) (PDF) HH-I-506 ©2021, Nationwide Children’s Hospital

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFS) is pain in the knee due to increased pressure between the kneecap (patella) and the thigh bone (femur). Usually a result of poor alignment or sudden growth spurts, this pain may also come from an injury to the knee. The patella sits in a groove (trochlea) of the thigh bone and moves up and down as the leg bends and straightens. Pain can result when the kneecap moves side to side.

Signs and Symptoms

  • pain around or underneath the kneecap
  • pain that gets worse with standing or sitting for long periods
  • pain when jumping, running, squatting or climbing stairs
  • usually achy pain but it can also be sharp
  • the knee feels like it gives way or catches

Increased Risk

  • tight or weak muscles in the leg and hip
  • poor warm-up before activity
  • flat feet
  • sports that involve running, jumping or squatting
  • poorly formed trochlea at birth
  • recent growth spurt

Treatment

  • Medicine
  • Anti-inflammatory medicines, such as ibuprofen (Motrin® or Advil®) or naproxen (Aleve®) may be recommended. Take these as directed by your health care provider.
  • Other minor pain relivers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®), may be used.
  • Use of cold and heat
  • Cold should be applied for 10 to 15 minutes every 2 to 3 hours and after any activity that makes symptoms worse. Use ice packs or an ice massage.
  • Heat should not be used on a new injury but may be used before doing stretching and strengthening activities prescribed by your health care provider or athletic trainer. Use a heat pack or a warm soak. Apply for 10 to 15 minutes.
  • Rehab
  • Rehab exercises to improve strength and flexibility in the hip and leg are helpful to improve pain and function. These are often done under supervision of a physical therapist or athletic trainer.
  • Orthopedic aids
  • A brace may be recommended to help the kneecap track properly.
  • An arch support (orthotic) may be recommended for those with flat feet.

How to Prevent

  • Do correct warm-up and stretching before practice or competition and use proper technique.
  • Gradually increase training intensity.
  • Maintain thigh, knee and lower leg flexibility, conditioning, muscle strength and endurance.
  • Wear arch supports if you have flat feet.

When to Call the Health Care Provider

Call your health care provider or the Sports Medicine team at 614-355-6000 if:

  • Anti-inflammatory medicines, such as ibuprofen (Motrin® or Advil®) or naproxen (Aleve®) may be recommended. Take these as directed by your health care provider.

  • Other minor pain relivers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol®), may be used.

  • Cold should be applied for 10 to 15 minutes every 2 to 3 hours and after any activity that makes symptoms worse. Use ice packs or an ice massage.

  • Heat should not be used on a new injury but may be used before doing stretching and strengthening activities prescribed by your health care provider or athletic trainer. Use a heat pack or a warm soak. Apply for 10 to 15 minutes.

  • Rehab exercises to improve strength and flexibility in the hip and leg are helpful to improve pain and function. These are often done under supervision of a physical therapist or athletic trainer.

  • A brace may be recommended to help the kneecap track properly.

  • An arch support (orthotic) may be recommended for those with flat feet.

  • symptoms get worse or do not improve after 6 to 8 weeks despite treatment

  • new, unexplained systems develop

Sports Medicine: Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFS) (PDF)

HH-I-506 ©2021, Nationwide Children’s Hospital

Schedule an Appointment
Schedule a Sports Medicine Appointment Online

Schedule an Appointment
Schedule a Sports Medicine Appointment Online