Anterior knee pain: uncommon aetiologies

Abstract

The aim of this review is to inform clinicians of less common causes of anterior knee pain. Relatively less common conditions leading to anterior knee pain include infra-patellar contracture syndrome, conditions affecting the fat pad, saphenous nerve entrapment, prepatellar neuromas, increased intraosseous pressure of the patella, ganglions of the anterior cruciate ligament and cysts. The aetiology, clinical presentation, risk factors and management  of each condition are outlined. Due to the common occurrence of anterior knee pain clinicians must remain vigilant in assessing the cause of this clinical presentation.