18th World Congress, member assembly 1996 and professional board meeting of Rehabilitation International (RI) 9/13-9/20 in Auckland, New Zealand

Anterior knee pain in our military population consititutes a diagnostic and therapeutic problem that is not always easily solved. In recent years, a better understanding of the biomechanics of the patello-femoral joint has contributed to the successful classification and treatment of many patients. However, the cause of pain remains elusive in a significant subset of patients who show no clinical or radiographic evidence of patellar malalignment and continue to have persistent pain despite adequate physiotherapy. In this article, the classification and approach to anterior knee pain are reviewed. Emphasis is placed on dividing patients into four subsets namely; normal tracking, patellar tilt, patellar subluxation and extra-articular causes of anterior knee pain. A more rational approach to the problem can then be employed and successful rehabilitation and/or surgery can be expected.