Patello-femoral arthralgia in athletes attending a Sports Injury Clinic.

Over a five year period, 137 athletes presented to a Sports Injury Clinic with patello-femoral arthralgia. This was 5.4% of the total injuries seen and a quarter of all knee problems treated. Running contributed to 32% of the athletes with patello-femoral pain. There was a 4:1 male:female ratio and nearly 70% were in the 16-25 year age range. A follow-up questionnaire was sent to 72 athletes seen in the last two years with a 78% response rate. Symptoms and treatment are discussed. After conservative therapy only 28.6% were entirely symptom free with a mean follow up of 13.1 months.