MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Anterior knee pain

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Anterior knee pain

Contents of this page:
Alternative Names Definition Considerations Causes Symptoms	First Aid DO NOT When to Contact a Medical Professional Prevention References

Alternative Names

Runner's knee

Definition Return to top

Anterior knee pain is pain that occurs at the front of the knee.

Considerations Return to top

The health care provider will perform a physical examination of the knee to confirm and assess the pain.

Tests that may be performed to rule out possible structural damage to the knee or connective tissue include the following:

Joint CT scan
Joint x-ray
MRI scan of the knee

Causes Return to top

Common causes of runner's knee include rotation (pronation) and lateral (away from the middle) pulling of the kneecap. This causes the kneecap to become misaligned with the connective tissues and muscles involved with knee movement.

Anterior knee pain may also be caused by:

Arthritis
Cartilage injury
Pinching of the inner lining of the knee with knee motion (synovial impingement, or plica syndrome)
Poor alignment of the patellofemeral joint (where the kneecap rubs against the lower portion of the thigh bone)
Softening of the cartilage under the kneecap (chondromalacia patellae)
Tendinitis of the quadriceps tendon (where the thigh muscles attach to the top of the kneecap) or patellar tendon (where the kneecap attaches to the shin bone)

Symptoms Return to top

Symptoms include knee pain below the kneecap and on the sides of the kneecap, particularly with deep knee bends or prolonged sitting.

In cases of runner's knee, pain occurs first when running downhill then gets worse and occurs with all running. Finally, pain is present even when you do not run.

First Aid Return to top

Treatment of anterior knee pain involves resting the knee and not running until you can do it without pain.

A sports medicine specialist or physical therapist may prescribe stretching exercises for the hamstrings and quadriceps, and strengthening exercises for the muscle that pulls the kneecap toward the center of the body. You can substitute bicycling for other exercise if you can do it without pain.

Special shoe inserts and orthotics (support devices) may help prevent further injury after healing.

DO NOT Return to top

Do not perform deep knee bends or overuse the knee until your symptoms improve.

When to Contact a Medical Professional Return to top

Call your health care provider if knee pain persists in spite of resting the joint.

Prevention Return to top

To help prevent sports injuries:

Warm up properly before exercise
Stretch after warm-up or exercise
Cool down after exercise

References Return to top

Dixit S, DiFiori JP, Burton M, Mines B. Management of patellofemoral pain syndrome. Am Fam Physician. 2007;75:194-202.

May TJ. Persistent anterior knee pain. Am Fam Physician. 2007;76:277-278.

Update Date: 5/5/2008

Updated by: Andrew L. Chen, MD, MS, Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine, The Alpine Clinic, Littleton, NH. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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