Evaluating anterior knee pain

Med Clin North Am. 2014 Jul;98(4):697-717, xi. doi: 10.1016/j.mcna.2014.03.001.

Abstract

Musculoskeletal complaints account for about 20% to 30% of all primary care office visits; of these visits, discomfort in the knee, shoulder, and back are the most prevalent musculoskeletal symptoms. Having pain or dysfunction in the front part of the knee is a common presentation and reason for a patient to see a health care provider. There are a number of pathophysiological etiologies to anterior knee pain. This article describes some of the common and less common causes, and includes sections on diagnosis and treatment for each condition as well as key points.

Keywords: Anterior knee pain; Bursitis; Chondromalacia; Osgood Schlatter’s disease; Patellar fractures; Patellar pain; Patellar subluxation; Patellar tendinopathy; Patellofemoral pain syndrome.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
  • Bursitis / diagnosis
  • Bursitis / therapy
  • Chondromalacia Patellae / diagnosis
  • Chondromalacia Patellae / therapy
  • Cryotherapy
  • Humans
  • Knee Dislocation / diagnosis
  • Knee Dislocation / therapy
  • Knee Joint*
  • Musculoskeletal Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Musculoskeletal Diseases / therapy*
  • Osteoarthritis, Knee / diagnosis
  • Osteoarthritis, Knee / therapy
  • Pain / etiology*
  • Pain Management / methods*
  • Physical Therapy Modalities
  • Tendinopathy / diagnosis
  • Tendinopathy / therapy

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents