Anterior Knee Pain (Patellofemoral)
Pain at the front of the knee around or behind the kneecap. Driven by patellar maltracking, VMO weakness, quadriceps tendinopathy, hip abductor deficit, and ankle dorsiflexion limitation.
Key ROM Tests
Risk Factors Assessed
Measuring Progress
Progress varies from person to person, so this protocol promises no date. Each block ends with a re-test of the key assessments, set side by side with your baseline. The numbers show where you are and set the next block.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is anterior knee pain (patellofemoral) worked on with exercise?
What assessments are done for anterior knee pain (patellofemoral)?
Is anterior knee pain (patellofemoral) the same for everyone?
How do I get started with the Anterior Knee Pain (Patellofemoral) protocol?
Get your Anterior Knee Pain (Patellofemoral) assessment
Your coach runs this protocol as part of your structural evaluation, then builds a personalized corrective plan based on the data.
Apply for AssessmentProtocol Details
- Category
- Condition
- Subcategory
- Pain Condition
- ROM Tests
- 6
- Corrective Targets
- 4
- Benchmarked
- Yes
- Red Flag Screens
- 4
Take our 2-minute quiz to identify your pain patterns and get a personalized correction plan.
Related Condition Protocols
Excessive anterior rotation of the pelvis increasing lumbar lordosis. Driven by hip flexor shortening, weak glutes, altered breathing patterns, and rib cage position dysfunction. Common in sedentary populations and lifters who skip glute activation work.
Deep Hip PainDeep anterior or lateral hip pain not explained by muscle strain alone. Differential includes labral pathology, hip impingement, hip OA, and referral from the lumbar spine. Assessment uses provocation tests and strength in available range.
Neck / Cervical PainCervical spine pain with or without radiating arm symptoms. Assessment covers cervical ROM in all planes, deep neck flexor function, upper trapezius and levator scapulae tension, and thoracic mobility as the upstream driver.
Winged / Protracted ScapulaeScapular winging (medial border lifts off thorax) or protraction (scapulae sit far from midline). Driven by serratus anterior weakness, lower trap inhibition, pec minor shortening, and thoracic mobility restriction.
Rotator Cuff TendinopathyDegenerative changes in the rotator cuff tendons, most commonly supraspinatus. Assessment targets shoulder IR/ER ratio, isometric strength testing, painful arc identification, and scapular control.
Posterior Pelvic TiltExcessive posterior rotation of the pelvis flattening the lumbar lordosis. Driven by glute overactivity relative to hip flexors, hamstring dominance, thoracic kyphosis compensation, and pelvic floor tension. Common in desk workers and those who 'tuck under' habitually.