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Narrative: Review of Anterior Knee Pain Differential Diagnosis (Other than Patellofemoral Pain)

  • Non-Operative Management of Anterior Knee Pain (M Fredericson and T Besier, Section Editors)
  • Published:
Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

This review presents a framework for constructing a differential diagnosis for chronic anterior knee pain associated with overuse other than patellofemoral pain. Traumatic, systemic, and pediatric injuries will not be covered.

Recent Findings

From superficial to deep, the anterior knee can be conceptually organized into four layers: (1) soft tissue, (2) extensor mechanism, (3) intracapsular/extrasynovial, and (4) intra-articular.

Summary

From superficial to deep, diagnoses to consider include bursitis, patellar and quadriceps tendinosis, fat pad impingement, and plica syndromes.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Stanford University, 655 Bradford Street #842, Redwood City, CA, 94063, USA

    Anne Kuwabara & Michael Fredericson

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  1. Anne Kuwabara
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Correspondence to Anne Kuwabara.

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Anne Kuwabara and Michael Fredericson declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Non-Operative Management of Anterior Knee Pain

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Kuwabara, A., Fredericson, M. Narrative: Review of Anterior Knee Pain Differential Diagnosis (Other than Patellofemoral Pain). Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med 14, 232–238 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12178-021-09704-9

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