PFJ Pain/Anterior knee pain

What is Patellofemoral (PFJ) pain?

Simply pain around or on the knee cap (patella).

Where does my pain come from?

The back of the knee cap is subjected to variable forces as we do activities of daily living.

Activities such as up and down stairs, running or sitting with your knees bent cause increased contact force and pressure between the back of the knee cap and the thigh bone.

Over time the tissue around and behind the knee cap can become irritable and send messages to your brain to give the sensation of pain.

When to seek advice

If you have severe pain affecting your sleep and daily activities, if you have had a serious injury or you have symptoms that have not improved with self-management, you should contact your GP practice. If you have a red, hot swollen joint please ring 111