What Is Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (Runner's Knee)?
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome or anterior knee pain syndrome is a term that refers to pain in the front of the knee and around the patella, or kneecap. It is sometimes called "jumper's knee" or "runner's knee" because it is common in athletes.
Causes of Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
Patellofemoral pain syndrome occurs when your patella (kneecap) cartilage becomes overloaded due to overuse, often caused by high-impact activities, or as a result of poor alignment.
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome Risk Factors
You are more likely to develop patellofermoral pain syndrome if you play high-impact sports such as football, basketball, soccer, and tennis, or if you are a runner.
These activities all have the potential to aggravate the patella cartilage. In addition, running on uneven surfaces, like hills or trails, or playing on multiple surfaces (such as hard and clay courts in tennis) also may increase the likelihood of patellofemoral pain.