Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome - Also Known As Runner's Knee

Our Physiotherapist, Jack, explains what Runner's Knee is and how we can treat it at Pro Perform Physiotherapy in Woodvale

What Is It?

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS), commonly known as Runner’s Knee, is a frequent cause of pain at the front of the knee or around the kneecap. It occurs when excessive or poorly managed load is placed through the patellofemoral joint as the kneecap moves over the thigh bone during activities such as running, squatting, stair climbing and jumping.

The patellofemoral joint is designed to absorb high forces. During running and stair use, it can experience loads of up to 6–7 times body weight, making it vulnerable when strength, control or recovery are inadequate.

Common Symptoms:

• Pain at the front of the knee or behind the kneecap

• Pain during or after running, squatting or lunging

• Pain going up or down stairs

• Knee pain after prolonged sitting (“movie theatre sign”)

• Aching or stiffness following activity

What Causes It?

PFPS typically develops when knee load exceeds the body’s capacity to tolerate it. Contributing factors often include:

• Sudden increases in training load (running volume, intensity or hills)

• Weak quadriceps and gluteal muscles

• Poor lower-limb control, especially during single-leg activities

• Reduced recovery between training sessions

• Footwear or lower-limb biomechanical factors

Who Does It Affect?

• Runners and endurance athletes

• Athletes in jumping and cutting sports (AFL, soccer, basketball, netball)

• Gym-goers performing high volumes of squats and lunges

• Adolescents and young adults

• Individuals returning to exercise after a break

How Is It Diagnosed?

PFPS is usually diagnosed through a clinical physio assessment, a service we provide at Pro Perform Physiotherapy, rather than imaging.

Diagnosis is based on:

• Pain location and symptom behaviour

• Aggravating activities such as stairs, squatting and running

• Recent changes in training or activity load

Scans are rarely required unless symptoms are severe, worsening, or not improving with treatment.

Physiotherapy Assessment: What to Expect?

Your physiotherapy assessment may include:

Movement & Strength Testing

• Squats, lunges and step-downs

• Single-leg balance and control

• Hip, knee and ankle strength

Load & Activity Review

• Training and exercise history

• Work and daily activity demands

Excluding Other Knee Conditions

• Patellar tendinopathy

• Meniscal injury

• Ligament injury

Effective Physiotherapy Treatment:

Physiotherapy focuses on reducing pain while improving knee load tolerance. Treatment may include:

Load Management:

Load management strategies to modify activity without complete rest

Progressive Training:

Progressive strength training for the quadriceps, hips and glutes

Movement Retraining:

Movement retraining to improve knee alignment and control

Education & Recovery:

Education around pain, recovery and return to sport

Manual Therapy:

Manual therapy to assist with pain and movement where appropriate

Recovery Timeframes:

Most people with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome notice improvement within 4–6 weeks of physiotherapy treatment.

A full return to running or sport usually occurs within 8–12 weeks, depending on symptom severity and training demands.

Long-standing cases may take 3–6 months to fully resolve.

Local Physiotherapy In Woodvale

If you live in Woodvale, Kingsley, or surrounding suburbs and are experiencing any of these symptoms or pain in your feet, our physiotherapists can help you get back to comfortable, confident movement.

Call To Action

Book an appointment at Pro Perform Physiotherapy in Woodvale for expert assessment and treatment. Call us on (08) 9309 3166 or book an appointment online today.