PROF. DR. SAMMY HANNAMD · FACS · FRCS (TR&ORTH) · CCT (TR&ORTH)
KNEECAP & PATELLOFEMORAL PAIN · ABU DHABI
Patellofemoral pain is usually felt around or behind the kneecap and often becomes more noticeable on stairs, squats, running, jumping or after sitting with the knee bent. The assessment connects the pain pattern with recent changes in load, hip and knee strength, movement control, patellar mechanics and any signs that point to a different diagnosis. Kneecap pain treatment in Abu Dhabi is available at Healthpoint Hospital.
CHAPTER 01 · THE PATTERN
Choose the closest description. Patellofemoral pain is usually recognised by a pattern of symptoms under load; the same symptoms can overlap with cartilage, tendon, instability and arthritic problems.
Descending stairs often increases demand across the patellofemoral joint. The examination looks at where the pain is felt, how the knee controls the step and whether the pattern is reproduced consistently.
See what the examination checks →CHAPTER 02 · EXAMINATION
Patellofemoral pain is usually a clinical diagnosis. A useful examination connects the exact pain location with the tasks that provoke it, then checks strength, movement control, patellar behaviour and signs of competing diagnoses.
Pain around or behind the patella fits a patellofemoral pattern better than focal joint-line, tendon or posterior-knee pain.
A squat, step-down, lunge, running task or repeated sit-to-stand can show how symptoms behave as knee flexion and load increase.
Hip and quadriceps strength, single-leg control, trunk position and movement strategy can all influence how load is shared during activity.
Tenderness, mobility, apprehension and tracking are assessed in context. A tracking observation can be relevant without being the only explanation for pain.
Effusion, true locking, instability, focal tendon pain, joint-line signs, trauma or significant stiffness may shift the assessment toward meniscus, cartilage, ligament or arthritis pathways.
“Where you feel the pain matters. What movement brings it on matters just as much.”
CHAPTER 03 · JOINT VIEW
The patella glides within the trochlear groove as the knee bends and straightens. Many people with a typical patellofemoral pain pattern can be assessed clinically; X-rays or MRI may be used when symptoms are atypical, persistent, follow significant injury or suggest cartilage, arthritis, instability or another structural problem.
SELECTED OBSERVATION 01 / 03
CHAPTER 05 · DECISION
Rarely for uncomplicated patellofemoral pain. A procedure becomes relevant only when persistent symptoms are tied to a clearly defined structural problem—such as recurrent instability, a focal cartilage lesion or established patellofemoral arthritis—and appropriate non-operative treatment has not restored enough function.
The symptoms, examination and any necessary imaging support a specific structural problem rather than simply persistent anterior knee pain.
Load, hip and knee strength, movement control and return-to-activity progression have been addressed with enough time and consistency.
Instability, cartilage damage or arthritis must plausibly explain the functional limitation before a procedure is discussed.
The procedure should solve a defined problem and offer a realistic improvement in the activities that matter to the patient.
IF THE DIAGNOSIS BECOMES MORE SPECIFIC
These routes are not automatic next steps. They become relevant only when the assessment shows a distinct condition beyond uncomplicated patellofemoral pain.
BACK TO CONFIDENT MOVEMENT
Recovery is measured by what the knee can tolerate reliably—not by avoiding every movement that once hurt. The goal is to rebuild enough capacity for everyday life, training and sport with a sensible response to load.
RELATED CLINICAL ROUTES
The location of pain is useful, but it is not a diagnosis by itself. Cartilage injury, arthritis, meniscal symptoms and patellar instability can sometimes produce overlapping complaints and need different treatment decisions.
PATELLOFEMORAL PAIN FAQ
General information only. A diagnosis and personal recommendation require an individual clinical assessment.
Request an appointmentPatellofemoral pain describes pain around or behind the kneecap. It is commonly aggravated by activities that load the knee while it is bent, including stairs, squatting, running, jumping and prolonged sitting.
These tasks increase demand across the patellofemoral joint. Symptoms can reflect the relationship between current activity load, knee and hip strength, movement control, flexibility and individual anatomy rather than one single universal cause.
Not necessarily. Crepitus and clicking are common and do not prove significant damage on their own. They deserve more attention when accompanied by pain, swelling, true locking, instability or meaningful loss of function.
Not always. A typical patellofemoral pain pattern is often assessed from the history and physical examination. Imaging may be useful when symptoms are atypical, follow significant injury, fail to improve as expected or when cartilage, arthritis, instability or another diagnosis needs to be assessed.
Rehabilitation commonly combines progressive quadriceps and hip strengthening with movement-control work and a graded return to the activities that provoke symptoms. The exact exercises, range and load should be matched to the individual's irritability and goals.
Most isolated patellofemoral pain is treated without surgery. A procedure is considered only when persistent symptoms are linked to a clearly defined structural problem and appropriate non-operative care has not restored enough function.
Often yes, with temporary adjustment of volume, intensity, hills, jumping or deep flexion while load tolerance is rebuilt. The aim is usually a graded return rather than permanent avoidance. Repeated swelling, instability, true locking or worsening function should prompt reassessment.
YOUR MOVEMENT PATTERN
Bring the symptom timeline, any recent change in training or daily load, previous rehabilitation, imaging if available and the activities you want to return to. The consultation is designed to separate uncomplicated patellofemoral pain from instability, cartilage, arthritis and other causes of front-of-knee symptoms.
YOUR SPECIALIST
Prof. Hanna is a UK board-certified consultant orthopaedic hip and knee surgeon at Healthpoint Hospital, Abu Dhabi. His clinical interests include sports and soft-tissue knee problems, knee cartilage and cruciate ligament injuries, arthroscopic surgery, partial knee replacement, primary and revision joint replacement, minimally invasive techniques and robotic-assisted hip and knee replacement.