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
Expected Timeline
6-12 weeks for mild, 12-20 weeks for chronic patellofemoral pain
Frequently Asked Questions
Can anterior knee pain (patellofemoral) be corrected 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
- Timeline
- 6-12 weeks for mild, 12-20 weeks for chronic patellofemoral pain
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.
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.
Medial Epicondylitis (Golfer's Elbow)Pain at the medial epicondyle from overuse of wrist flexors and forearm pronators. Assessment covers wrist flexor loading tolerance, forearm pronation, grip strength, and cervical radiculopathy screening to rule out referred pain.
Thoracic Outlet SyndromeCompression of neurovascular structures in the thoracic outlet causing arm numbness, pain, or weakness. Assessment targets scalene tension, first rib mobility, pec minor length, and cervical posture.
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.
Hamstring Strain (Recurrent)Recurrent hamstring strain prevention protocol targeting the biomechanical risk factors for re-injury. Assessment covers hamstring length asymmetry, hip extension strength, lumbar-pelvic control, and eccentric capacity.