Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsStructureFunctionConditionsTreatmentFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Structure
Function
Conditions
Treatment
Frequently Asked Questions
BruceBlaus / Wikimedia Commons /CC BY 3.0
The patellofemoral joint is a complex structure involving not only bones, but a network of muscles and connective tissues. All of the bony surfaces inside the patellofemoral joint are covered with articular cartilage, which is slippery and helps the bones glide smoothly against each other when the knee bends or straightens.
The underside of your kneecap sits in a groove within your thigh bone called thepatellofemoral groove. Within this groove, the kneecap mostly moves lengthwise, but it has some side-to-side movement and can tilt and rotate as well.
When you contract thequadriceps musclesof your thigh, they pull on the quadriceps tendon that attaches to your kneecap. This makes your knee straighten. Two of these quad muscles keep your kneecap in the femoral groove during this motion—the vastus medialis obliquus and the vastus lateralis, which are located on the inside and the outside of your thigh.
Some daily motions that work your patellofemoral joints include:
These are the types of everyday activities the patellofemoral joint was designed and evolved to perform. It works well, but, like the rest of your body, it undergoes wear and tear from almost constant use over the years. In addition, taking part in sports can lead to overuse and damage to the patellofemoral joint.
Knee Pain: Causes and Treatment Options
Associated Conditions
Since the patellofemoral joint is involved in almost everything that involves your legs, it’s highly susceptible to injuries and wear-and-tear. The most common ones include:
Practical Tips and Strategies for Living With Chronic Knee Pain
Patellofemoral Arthritis
When the articular cartilage in the groove and on the back of the patella wears away, the joint becomes inflamed.This is called patellofemoralarthritis. As the cartilage breaks down, it becomes frayed and can leave the bone exposed. The surface of bones is rough, and it’s painful when they grind against each other.
Your risk of patellofemoral arthritis may increase if you’ve ever fractured your kneecap or have a condition called dysplasia, in which the patella doesn’t fit properly inside the groove.
What to Know About Arthritis of the Knee
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
Chondromalacia
Patellofemoral irritation may also lead to the breakdown of cartilage (flexible connective tissue) on the underside of the kneecap, which is calledchondromalacia. In its most chronic form, this condition may require surgical repair. This is a common injury in runners, soccer players, skiers, and cyclists.
Symptoms of chondromalacia include a dull pain under or around the kneecap. This may be felt when going up or down stairs or getting out of a chair. Chondromalacia can be due to long-term wear and tear, muscle weakness, or knee-alignment problems, or it can develop after a fall.
Patellar Dislocation
Knee dislocationshappen when the kneecap slips out of the patellofemoral groove. This is very painful and can damage the joint cartilage. Causes of patellar dislocation include:
Repeated InjuryOnce a patella has been dislocated, it’s easier for it to happen again.
Repeated Injury
Once a patella has been dislocated, it’s easier for it to happen again.
Treatment Options
Treatment for an injury to the patellofemoral joint depends on the cause and severity. Possible treatments include:
Examination of the Knee
A Word From Verywell
Problems with the patellofemoral joint can cause significant pain and disability. However, you do have a lot of treatment options available that can get you up and walking on that leg again. If you injure your knee or begin having pains that could signal a patellofemoral joint problem, see your healthcare provider about it. The sooner you get a diagnosis and treatment, the sooner you’ll be functional again.
The patellofemoral joint is located in front of the knee and is a complex structure of muscles, connective tissue, and bones. It is where your kneecap connects to the thigh and shin.
Patellofemoral syndrome is treated with RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation), anti-inflammatory medication, and physical therapy exercises. In rare or more severe cases, surgery may be required.
Patellofemoral syndrome is usually treatable, but the time to find relief depends on the severity of the condition and if there is any damage to surrounding tissues. If treatment is delayed, it will take longer to heal.
Other Causes of Knee Pain and Treatment Options
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Loudon JK.Biomechanics and pathomechanics of the patellofemoral joint.Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2016;11(6):820-830.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: OrthoInfo.Patellofemoral arthritis.Petersen W, Ellermann A, Gösele-Koppenburg A, et al.Patellofemoral pain syndrome.Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2014;22(10):2264-74. doi:10.1007/s00167-013-2759-6Harvard Medical School, Harvard Health Publishing.Chondromalacia.Hospital for Special Surgery.Patellofemoral disorders: An overview.Cedars-Sinai.Kneecap (patellar) dislocation.Peters JS, Tyson NL.Proximal exercises are effective in treating patellofemoral pain syndrome: a systematic review.Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2013;8(5):689-700.Kumar D, Beavers D, Devita P, Messier S.Effects of weight-loss on patellofemoral loading in overweight and obese adults with patellofemoral osteoarthritis: secondary analysis from the idea randomized trial.Osteoarthritis and Cartilage. 2017;25(Supp 1):S171-S172. doi:10.1016/j.joca.2017.02.296Crossley K, Callaghan M, van Linschoten R.Patellofemoral pain.BMJ. 2015;251:h3939. doi:10.1136/bmj.h3939
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Loudon JK.Biomechanics and pathomechanics of the patellofemoral joint.Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2016;11(6):820-830.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: OrthoInfo.Patellofemoral arthritis.Petersen W, Ellermann A, Gösele-Koppenburg A, et al.Patellofemoral pain syndrome.Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2014;22(10):2264-74. doi:10.1007/s00167-013-2759-6Harvard Medical School, Harvard Health Publishing.Chondromalacia.Hospital for Special Surgery.Patellofemoral disorders: An overview.Cedars-Sinai.Kneecap (patellar) dislocation.Peters JS, Tyson NL.Proximal exercises are effective in treating patellofemoral pain syndrome: a systematic review.Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2013;8(5):689-700.Kumar D, Beavers D, Devita P, Messier S.Effects of weight-loss on patellofemoral loading in overweight and obese adults with patellofemoral osteoarthritis: secondary analysis from the idea randomized trial.Osteoarthritis and Cartilage. 2017;25(Supp 1):S171-S172. doi:10.1016/j.joca.2017.02.296Crossley K, Callaghan M, van Linschoten R.Patellofemoral pain.BMJ. 2015;251:h3939. doi:10.1136/bmj.h3939
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Loudon JK.Biomechanics and pathomechanics of the patellofemoral joint.Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2016;11(6):820-830.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: OrthoInfo.Patellofemoral arthritis.Petersen W, Ellermann A, Gösele-Koppenburg A, et al.Patellofemoral pain syndrome.Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2014;22(10):2264-74. doi:10.1007/s00167-013-2759-6Harvard Medical School, Harvard Health Publishing.Chondromalacia.Hospital for Special Surgery.Patellofemoral disorders: An overview.Cedars-Sinai.Kneecap (patellar) dislocation.Peters JS, Tyson NL.Proximal exercises are effective in treating patellofemoral pain syndrome: a systematic review.Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2013;8(5):689-700.Kumar D, Beavers D, Devita P, Messier S.Effects of weight-loss on patellofemoral loading in overweight and obese adults with patellofemoral osteoarthritis: secondary analysis from the idea randomized trial.Osteoarthritis and Cartilage. 2017;25(Supp 1):S171-S172. doi:10.1016/j.joca.2017.02.296Crossley K, Callaghan M, van Linschoten R.Patellofemoral pain.BMJ. 2015;251:h3939. doi:10.1136/bmj.h3939
Loudon JK.Biomechanics and pathomechanics of the patellofemoral joint.Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2016;11(6):820-830.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: OrthoInfo.Patellofemoral arthritis.
Petersen W, Ellermann A, Gösele-Koppenburg A, et al.Patellofemoral pain syndrome.Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2014;22(10):2264-74. doi:10.1007/s00167-013-2759-6
Harvard Medical School, Harvard Health Publishing.Chondromalacia.
Hospital for Special Surgery.Patellofemoral disorders: An overview.
Cedars-Sinai.Kneecap (patellar) dislocation.
Peters JS, Tyson NL.Proximal exercises are effective in treating patellofemoral pain syndrome: a systematic review.Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2013;8(5):689-700.
Kumar D, Beavers D, Devita P, Messier S.Effects of weight-loss on patellofemoral loading in overweight and obese adults with patellofemoral osteoarthritis: secondary analysis from the idea randomized trial.Osteoarthritis and Cartilage. 2017;25(Supp 1):S171-S172. doi:10.1016/j.joca.2017.02.296
Crossley K, Callaghan M, van Linschoten R.Patellofemoral pain.BMJ. 2015;251:h3939. doi:10.1136/bmj.h3939
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
