Patellofemoral pain--a prospective study.

This prospective study confirms that patellofemoral pain arises predominantly in a young population and is more common in females. Patellar malalignment and its progression to patellar subluxation can be managed conservatively with improvement in the majority of cases. Arthroscopic lateral release may be necessary for selected patients with patellar malalignment and subluxation, while more aggressive surgical therapy should be considered in patients with patellar compression syndrome and recurrent dislocation. Resection of symptomatic plicae gave satisfactory results in all patients. Chondromalacia patella is commonly found in older patients and may be quite refractory to operative and non-operative treatment. The majority of patients fail to comply with recommendations for continued knee rehabilitation, compromising further the successful management of patellofemoral disorders.