Terminology

In this page you will find detailed information about the terminology of the condition. Let’s find out more?

The importance of using proper terminology to refer to a specific health condition has been highlighted in studies of different musculoskeletal conditions.1,2,3 Overall, the lack of consensus and the use of different terminologies can lead to negative impacts, such as increase the patient’s anxiety about their condition, loss of confidence in the health professional, influence the choice for more invasive treatments, and can even cause difficulty in interprofessional communication.1,2,3 In other words, terminology is a powerful tool that can influence patients’ thoughts and actions.

Different terminologies have been used over time by different studies to describe diffuse pain in the anterior region of the knee that is not related to episodes of direct trauma. Therefore, in order to improve the understanding of this condition, experts in the field came together to publish the Patellofemoral Pain Consensus on terminology in 2016.4 In this document, it was defined that the best term to describe diffuse pain in the anterior region of the knee that is aggravated by activities involving knee flexion in weight bearing is patellofemoral pain.

Some other terms are commonly found in studies in the field and are considered synonymous with patellofemoral pain:

  • Patellofemoral pain syndrome
  • Chondromalacia patella
  • Anterior knee pain
  • Anterior knee pain syndrome
  • Runner’s knee

 

Watch the video below with Dr. Simon Lack, answering the most common questions about this topic [COMING SOON]:

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References

  1. Nickel et al. 2017. Words do matter: A systematic review on how different terminology for the same condition influences management preferences. 
  2. Sprague et al. 2019. Distinguishing quadriceps and patellar tendinopathy: semantics or significant? 
  3. Zadro et al. 2021. Diagnostic labels for rotator cuff disease can increase people’s perceived need for shoulder surgery: An online randomized controlled trial.
  4. Crossley et al. 2016. 2016 Patellofemoral pain consensus statement from the 4th International Patellofemoral Pain Research Retreat, Manchester. Part 1: Terminology, definitions, clinical examination, natural history, patellofemoral osteoarthritis and patient-reported outcome measures.