Patellofemoral pain syndrome affects which joint?

• A. Knee
• B. Shoulder
• C. Ankle
• D. Hip

Answer: (A)

Patellofemoral pain syndrome affects the knee joint, specifically the patellofemoral joint where the kneecap (patella) moves over the femur. The pain arises from stress or maltracking of the patella as it glides in that groove, often triggered by bending the knee during activities like squatting, stairs, or running, and can be worse after long periods of knee flexion. Since the issue is at the patellofemoral articulation, the other joints listed (shoulder, ankle, hip) aren’t the primary sites of this condition. Management typically aims to improve patellar tracking and knee mechanics through targeted strengthening of the quadriceps and hip muscles, along with activity modification and supportive measures like patellar taping if needed.