Patellofemoral pain (PFP) is pain at the front of the knee, around or behind the kneecap (patella).
Who gets it?
PFP is one of the most common knee complaints in physically active people affecting runners, cyclists, and anyone doing repetitive knee-loading activity. Active women are 2.23x more likely to develop it than active men.
What causes it?
The main driver is overload: when activity load increases faster than the tissue can recover. An individualβs anatomy is not the cause. Q-angle, height, weight, and BMI do not predict PFP.
Does psychology play a role?
Yes. Anxiety, depression, and fear of movement are linked to higher pain intensity and slower recovery.
Can it be treated?
Yes. Evidence-based management includes load modification, targeted exercise, and addressing psychological barriers where present.
