Anterior Knee Pain
Anterior Knee Pain: Fat Pad vs Patellofemoral Joint vs Patellar Tendon
Pain at the front of the knee is a common complaint we see here in the clinic. The knee is an intricate joint and there are a number of potential irritable structures which can make an accurate diagnosis difficult. The main ‘players’ in the anterior knee pain are the patellofemoral joint, the patellar tendon, and the infrapatellar (below the kneecap) fat pad. In order to get an accurate diagnosis, a thorough history is taken and the behaviour and location of the pain guides assessment and eventual diagnosis. Below is a brief overview of the differentiating factors:
PFJ | Patellar Tendon | Fat Pad | |
Aggravating Factors | Stairs, squats, lunges, downhill walking, kneeling | Jumping, sprinting, running, lunges, squats | Standing in extension, flat shoes, ‘hanging off knee’ |
Easing/Non-aggravating Factors | Posterior chain gym work, reducing overall daily walking load | Swimming, non-impact training, tempo quad based strength work | Walking up hill, wearing heels, standing in knee flexion, sitting, squats/lunges |
Pain Location | Diffuse anterior knee | Pinpoint tendon pain | Localised to fat pad |
As you can see, anterior knee pain can be quite complex as the knee is an intricate structure (and these are only the common complaints – there are plenty more!). Accurate diagnosis is incredibly important as treatment for each issue will differ significantly. If you’re dealing with anterior knee pain, come into the clinic for an accurate assessment and diagnosis, targeted treatment and a tailored rehab plan for your given injury.
