patellofemoral syndrome

Is it normal to get a sharp pain under the kneecap when walking down stairs?

1. Introduction It is remarkably common but not biologically normal to experience a sharp pain under the kneecap when walking down stairs. This specific symptom is the classic clinical hallmark of patellofemoral pain syndrome, or in older individuals, early chondromalacia patellae. The knee is a massive, complex hinge designed to bear the entire weight of … Read more

What causes knee pain to worsen when walking down stairs?

1. Introduction Worsening knee pain when walking down stairs is primarily caused by patellofemoral pain syndrome, where the kneecap tracks improperly during eccentric muscle contraction, multiplying the compressive forces on the underlying cartilage. As a person descends a staircase, the knee must bend while simultaneously bearing the full weight of the body. This specific biomechanical … Read more