In this section Dr Ronald Grelsamer of the Mount Sinai Hospital in New York presents a series of tutorials on the very important topic of patellofemoral pain.

Part 1 - Anatomy

• Examining your own kneecap
• Bones and muscles
• Patellar tendon

Part 2 - Important concepts

• Q-angle
• Malalignment
• Tilt
• Tender facets
• Suprapatellar pouch

Part 3 - Differential diagnosis

• Conditions interfering with the mechanics of the knee
• Knee problems not necessarily involving the mechanics of the knee
• 'Complex Regional Pain Syndrome'
• 'Referred Pain', not originating with the knee at all

Part 4a - Conditions interfering with the mechanics of the knee

• Tight structures around the knee
• Loose structures around the knee
• Factors increasing the Q-angle
• Overuse
• Deformed bones
• Stressed bones

Part 4b - Conditions NOT interfering with the mechanics of the knee

• Knee problem but not necessarily involving the extensor mechanism
• Complex regional pain syndrome
• Referred pain from the hip and spine

Part 5a - History

• The nature of the injury
• The nature of the discomfort
• History of swelling
• Noises in the knee
• Pseudolocking, instability, catching

Part 5b - Examination

• Examination standing
• Sitting at the edge of the examination table
• Supine (lying on one's back)
• Prone (lying on one's stomach)
• Decubitus position (lying on one's side)

Part 6 - Imaging and X-rays

• X-rays
• AP and Lateral X-rays
• X-ray quality
• Blumensaat's line
• Merchant's view

Part 7 - Non-operative treatment

• Preventing Overuse
• Mechanical support and improvement of posture
• Releasing tight structures on the lateral side
• Improving Muscle Balance
• Relieving local inflammation
• Artificial lubricants -Synvisc
• Diet & nutritional supplements

Part 8 - Surgery for Patellar Mal-alignment

• Releasing tight structures on the lateral side
• Tightening incompetent structures on the medial side
• Repositioning of the tibial tubercle

Part 9 - Surgery to slow established patellofemoral arthritis

• Cartilage restoration
• Patello-femoral resurfacing
• Patellectomy

Part 10 - Glossary