Clinical Features

Pain is usually located over the front of the knee and is described as a deep aching pain. It is sometimes associated with swelling and is usually worse when the knee is bent for long periods of time such sitting in a car or bus. The pain is also worse with activities such as squatting, kneeling or stair climbing (either up or down stairs). The pain is sometimes improved with rest and the use of pain medication.

It is sometimes associated with mild or moderate swelling of the knee and some people report a grinding feeling in the kneecap. It is more common in younger females especially after a growth spurt where the knee must carry more weight.

Occasionally people may also have a vague sense of "tightness" or "fullness" in the knee area. If chronic symptoms are ignored, the associated loss of thigh or quadriceps muscle strength may cause the leg to "give way." Besides an obvious reduction in quadriceps muscle mass, mild swelling of the knee area may occur.