Patellofemoral pain
(Runner's knee)
Patellofemoral pain
(Runner's knee)
Suffering from knee pain?
We're experts in knee rehabilitation
Patellofemoral pain (PFP) is one of the most common knee complaints we see — especially in runners, gym-goers, adolescents, and active adults. It describes pain felt around or behind the kneecap (patella), often aggravated by activities like stairs, squatting, running, or prolonged sitting.
It’s sometimes referred to as runner’s knee, but you don’t need to be a runner to experience it.
Our physios are experts in runner's knee rehab. We assess your movement, tailor your rehab, and get you back to pain-free running!
It’s sometimes referred to as runner’s knee, but you don’t need to be a runner to experience it.
Our physios are experts in runner's knee rehab. We assess your movement, tailor your rehab, and get you back to pain-free running!
Common causes of knee pain
Patellofemoral pain is often multifactorial, meaning it develops from a combination of factors, including:
- Overuse or sudden increase in activity load (e.g. running, jumping, stairs)
- Poor hip and knee muscle control, particularly weak glutes or quadriceps
- Tight muscles (like quads, hamstrings, calves) contributing to load on the joint
- Poor movement mechanics or footwear
- Previous injury or surgery affecting movement patterns
How we assess your knee pain
Our physiotherapy assessment focuses on identifying your unique movement patterns and load tolerance. We’ll explore:
This helps us tailor a plan specific to your goals — whether that's pain-free stairs or marathon running.
- Your history of activity and symptoms
- Hip, knee and ankle strength and control
- Walking, squatting, and running technique (if relevant)
- Muscle length and joint mobility
- Training volume, footwear, and recovery routines
This helps us tailor a plan specific to your goals — whether that's pain-free stairs or marathon running.
How we can help treat your patellofemoral pain
Patellofemoral pain is very treatable with the right rehabilitation approach. Our goal is to help you reduce pain, improve function, and return to activity with confidence.
Individualised Exercise Therapy
We’ll guide you through a progressive rehab program focused on strengthening the quads, glutes, and calf muscles, improving lower limb alignment and load control.
Strong evidence supports tailored exercise as the first-line treatment for patellofemoral pain (Crossley et al., 2016; Rathleff et al., 2015).
Load Management
We’ll help you modify training, reduce aggravating activities short term, and progressively return to sport or daily movement without flaring up pain.
Gradual exposure to load is more effective than long-term rest (Collins et al., 2012).
Movement Retraining
We may work on squatting, landing, running, or walking patterns if needed to improve movement efficiency and reduce pressure on the kneecap.
Taping, Orthotics or Footwear Advice (if needed)
Short-term taping or footwear modifications can assist in managing pain while you rebuild strength.
Taping has short-term benefits for pain relief, especially when combined with exercise (Barton et al., 2015).
Education & Reassurance
Understanding your condition helps you stay engaged and confident in the recovery process.
Reassurance and self-management strategies play a key role in long-term recovery (Smith et al., 2018).
Individualised Exercise Therapy
We’ll guide you through a progressive rehab program focused on strengthening the quads, glutes, and calf muscles, improving lower limb alignment and load control.
Strong evidence supports tailored exercise as the first-line treatment for patellofemoral pain (Crossley et al., 2016; Rathleff et al., 2015).
Load Management
We’ll help you modify training, reduce aggravating activities short term, and progressively return to sport or daily movement without flaring up pain.
Gradual exposure to load is more effective than long-term rest (Collins et al., 2012).
Movement Retraining
We may work on squatting, landing, running, or walking patterns if needed to improve movement efficiency and reduce pressure on the kneecap.
Taping, Orthotics or Footwear Advice (if needed)
Short-term taping or footwear modifications can assist in managing pain while you rebuild strength.
Taping has short-term benefits for pain relief, especially when combined with exercise (Barton et al., 2015).
Education & Reassurance
Understanding your condition helps you stay engaged and confident in the recovery process.
Reassurance and self-management strategies play a key role in long-term recovery (Smith et al., 2018).
Physio for patellofemoral pain: FAQs
While altered tracking may contribute to pain, the patella isn’t dislocated. The issue is usually related to muscle control and load tolerance — both of which improve with rehab.
Many improve in 6–12 weeks with consistent rehab, though chronic cases may take longer.
Often yes, with modified load while strengthening.
Not usually — it’s a clinical diagnosis.
Not necessarily. PFP doesn’t equal arthritis, though untreated pain can increase risk.
Often from increased training load, footwear changes, or muscle imbalance.
No — these can be safe and helpful when reintroduced progressively.
Areas We Serve
We provide physiotherapy services to clients with patellofemoral pain across the Perth northern suburbs. Some of the most common areas we serve include:
Doubleview, Scarborough, Innaloo, Woodlands, Wembley Downs, Churchlands, Karrinyup, Gwelup, Osborne Park, City Beach, Floreat, and Trigg.
If you're located nearby and looking for expert patellofemoral pain care, we're just a short drive away.
Additionally, we provide expert and specialist physiotherapy care to many clients who live in Perth and regional Western Australia – your rehabilitation is our priority and many of our clients are prepared to drive further to receive quality care.
Doubleview, Scarborough, Innaloo, Woodlands, Wembley Downs, Churchlands, Karrinyup, Gwelup, Osborne Park, City Beach, Floreat, and Trigg.
If you're located nearby and looking for expert patellofemoral pain care, we're just a short drive away.
Additionally, we provide expert and specialist physiotherapy care to many clients who live in Perth and regional Western Australia – your rehabilitation is our priority and many of our clients are prepared to drive further to receive quality care.
