Pain in the front of the knee, known as anterior knee pain, often results from overuse of, and injury to, the knee’s joints, tendons, and tissues. It can also be a symptom of conditions such as arthritis. Treatment may include rest, pain relief, and lifestyle changes.
Several factors can contribute to the cause and severity of pain in the front of the knee. These include lifestyle factors such as exercise, injury, and poor posture when exercising.
This article explores the causes of anterior knee pain, or pain in the front of the knee.
We also discuss the symptoms of this knee pain and the treatment options.

Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS), sometimes known as runner’s knee, is one of the
PFPS can happen due to overuse, injury, or kneecap malalignment. It is common in people who participate in sports such as running.
Symptoms
Common symptoms of PFPS include:
- pain in the front of the knee during exercise that repeatedly bends the knee, such as climbing stairs, running, and jumping
- pain in the front of the knee after long periods of sitting
- a popping or crackling sound when moving or sitting for long periods of time (crepitus)
Treatment
In many cases, it is possible to treat PFPS at home. This usually involves:
- changes to activity levels
- using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for the pain and swelling
- rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE)
Patellar tendonitis, also known as jumper’s knee,
Small tears usually occur due to pressure that accumulates on the patellar or quadriceps tendon as a result of strenuous exercise. The tendon can tear away from the kneecap in more severe cases.
Symptoms
The symptoms of patellar tendonitis include:
- a tearing or popping sensation
- pain in the front of the knee where the tendon is
- bruising
- cramping
- difficulty walking
- the kneecap moving up into the thigh
Treatment
There are both surgical and nonsurgical options to treat patellar tendonitis. These include:
- Nonsurgical:
- using a compression sleeve
- undergoing physical therapy
- wearing a brace to immobilize the knee
- undergoing cryotherapy
- Surgical:
- reattaching the tendon in cases where it has torn away from the kneecap
- repairing small tears by installing suture anchors
Hoffa’s fat pad,
It contains many nerves and can be a source of anterior knee pain. Injury or repeatedly overextending the knee can cause this pain.
Symptoms
The symptoms of Hoffa’s syndrome
- pain at the front of the knee and bottom of the kneecap
- swelling and tenderness
- pain when extending the leg for long periods of time, such as when standing
Treatment
The treatment options for Hoffa’s syndrome
- NSAIDs for pain and swelling
- physiotherapy
- corticosteroid injections
Patellofemoral arthritis affects the underside of the patella (kneecap) and the groove in the thighbone that the patella sits in.
It occurs when the cartilage along the groove and under the patella wears down and becomes inflamed. This can happen as a result of injury or overuse of the knees.
Symptoms
The symptoms of patellofemoral arthritis include:
- pain in the front of the knee during rest or activity
- a crackling sensation during movement
- the kneecap becoming “stuck” when straightening the leg
Treatment
There are several treatment options for patellofemoral arthritis. These include:
- NSAIDs for pain and swelling
- avoiding high-impact exercises such as running and squatting
- trying low-impact exercises such as walking or swimming
- viscosupplementation (where a doctor injects hyaluronic acid into the knee)
- corticosteroid injections
In more severe cases, healthcare professionals
- Autologous chondrocyte implantation: The surgeon removes a small piece of cartilage and uses it to grow new cartilage cells, which they implant into the knee.
- Patellofemoral replacement: The surgeon replaces damaged cartilage with plastic and metal.
- Total knee replacement: A procedure to replace both sides of the knee joint.
- Tibial tubercle osteotomy: This procedure realigns parts of the knee.
Quadriceps tendonitis
The quadriceps tendon is essential for straightening the leg and knee from a bent position. It attaches the four quadricep muscles to the kneecap and sits just above it.
Learn more about tendinitis here.
Symptoms
The symptoms of quadriceps tendonitis
- tenderness
- pain on the border of the kneecap that worsens with activity
- swelling
Treatment
The treatment options for quadriceps tendonitis
- physical therapy
- rest
- icing the knee
- changing activity levels to ease pressure on the tendon
extracorporeal shock wave therapy - platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection
In more severe cases, surgery may be an option to remove the damaged tendon or reattach it.
A plica is a thick band of tissue that extends from joints. Plica tissue
Plica syndrome occurs when this tissue becomes inflamed due to overuse or injury. This can cause friction between the kneecap and the lower part of the thigh bone.
Symptoms
The symptoms of plica syndrome
- pain in the front of the knee
- hearing a popping or clicking sound during movement
- tenderness
- stiffness
Treatment
The treatment options for plica syndrome include:
- stretching and strengthening the knee joint
- corticosteroid injections
- knee arthroscopy surgery
The other possible causes of anterior knee pain include:
- knee bursitis
- osteoarthritis
- poor running form
- lifestyle factors, such as insufficient exercise
- previous injuries
- rheumatoid arthritis
infection of the knee joint
There are several things an individual can do to help prevent anterior knee pain.
Some of these are:
- strengthening the knee and improving flexibility
- improving exercise form
- wearing the
right shoes for running - maintaining a moderate weight
- incorporating low-impact exercises, such as walking and swimming, into their routine
A person experiencing anterior knee pain should seek medical help if one or more of the following apply:
- the pain does not improve with over-the-counter (OTC) treatments, such as NSAIDs
- the pain lasts more than a few days
- there is swelling, or the knee has changed shape
- the knee is red and warm to the touch, which can be a sign of infection
- the pain prevents them from carrying out day-to-day activities
Overuse and injury often contribute to a person developing anterior knee pain and associated conditions.
There are several treatment options, including OTC medications, rest, and, in some cases, surgery. People experiencing persistent pain with little to no relief from OTC treatments should seek immediate medical help.
There are several precautions a person can take to prevent knee pain, including maintaining a moderate weight, improving exercise form, and improving flexibility and strength of the knees through conditioning exercises.