Adolescent patellofemoral pain: Implicating the medial patellofemoral ligament as the main pain generator

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

25 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to define the clinical presentation of adolescent patellofemoral pain. Methods: A review was completed of all patients with patellofemoral pain at a children's hospital sports clinic over a 3-year period. Results: One hundred and one patients (91 female) with 136 symptomatic knees were identified. Mean age was 14.4 years. Knee pain was localized to the anteromedial or anterior region of the knee in 96% of patients and was typically produced with running (94%), jumping (92%) and stair use (69%). On physical examination there was usually a non antalgic gait (99%), no patellofemoral crepitation (98%), normal lower extremity angular (84%) and rotational alignment (94%), with no foot malalignment (>97%). The medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) was the most palpably tender area of the knee in 98% of patients. During "lateral apprehension " testing, 89% had pain at the MPFL, but not true apprehension. A "J-sign " was present at terminal knee extension in 65%. Mean Q-angle was 18.7°. Means of all radiographic measures were within normal ranges. Conclusion: The prototypical patient had anterior/anteromedial knee pain of insidious onset during running and jumping. The most consistent physical findings were focal tenderness at the MPFL, positive terminal J-sign, and an elevated Q-angle. Most patients required only nonsurgical treatments, but 18% underwent surgical interventions for persistent pain.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)269-277
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Children's Orthopaedics
Volume2
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 2008

Keywords

  • Anterior knee pain
  • Lateral retinacular release
  • Nonoperative treatment
  • Patellofemoral pain

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Adolescent patellofemoral pain: Implicating the medial patellofemoral ligament as the main pain generator'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this