PATELLO-FEMORAL ARTHRALGIA IN ATHLETES 4 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. Key Words: Rheumatology, Patello-femoral,Chondromalacia patellae, Sports injury