• Patient Education
• Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome - Recovery

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Diagnosis
• Treatment
• Recovery
• FAQ

Recovery from patellofemoral pain can be a long process. Non-operative recovery usually takes six weeks or more. Sport activities that heavily load the knee should only be resumed very gradually and cautiously. To reach pre-injury activity level, the patient must build greater strength and flexibility in the muscles around the knee than existed before the injury. By maintaining a high level of fitness, the patient will reduce the likelihood of re-injury.

Operative Recovery

Recovery after surgery for patellofemoral pain syndrome can take even longer than recovery from non-operative treatment. The patient should expect:

• Crutch use, usually necessary for one to three weeks after surgery
• Two to three months of healing and rehabilitation
• A gradual return to desired activities that usually take between three and six months.