Patellofemoral pain syndrome may also result from overuse or overload of the PF joint.
 For this reason, knee activity should be reduced until the pain is resolved.

There is consistent but low quality evidence that exercise therapy for PFPS reduces pain, improves function and aids long-term recovery.
However, there is insufficient evidence to compare the effectiveness of different types of exercises with each other, and exercises with other forms of treatment.

Exercise therapy is the recommended first line treatment of PFPS.
Various exercises have been studied and recommended.
Exercises are described according to 3 parameters:
Type of muscle activity (concentric, eccentric or isometric)
Type of joint movement (dynamic, isometric or static)
Reaction forces (closed or open kinetic chain)
The majority of exercise programs intended to treat PFPS are designed to strengthen the quadriceps muscles.
Quadriceps strengthening is considered to be the "gold" standard treatment for PFPS.
Quadriceps strengthening is commonly suggested because the quadriceps muscles help to stabilize the patella.
Quadriceps weakness and muscle imbalance may contribute to abnormal patellar tracking.

If the strength of the vastus medialis muscle is inadequate, the usually larger and stronger vastus lateralis muscle will pull sideways (laterally) on the kneecap.
Strengthening the vastus medialis to prevent or counter the lateral force of the vastus lateralis is one way of relieving PFPS.
However, there is growing evidence that shows proximal factors play a much larger role than vastus medialis (VMO) strength deficits or quadriceps imbalance.
Hip abductor, extensor, and external rotator strengthening may help.

Emphasis during exercise may be placed on coordinated contraction of the medial and lateral parts of the quadriceps as well as of the hip adductor, hip abductor and gluteal muscles.
Many exercise programs include stretches designed to improve lower limb flexibility.
Electromyographic biofeedback allows visualization of specific muscle contractions and may help individuals performing the exercises to target the intended muscles during the exercise.
Electrostimulation may be used to apply external stimuli resulting in contraction of specific muscles and thus exercise.

Inflexibility has often been cited as a source of patellofemoral pain syndrome.
 Stretching of the lateral knee has been suggested to help.

Knee and lumbar joint mobilization are not recommended as primary interventions for PFPS.
It can be used as combination intervention, but as we continue to promote use of active and physical interventions for PFPS, passive interventions such as joint mobilizations are not recommended.
Patellofemoral pain syndrome may also result from overuse or overload of the PF joint.  For this reason, knee activity should be reduced until the pain is resolved.
There is consistent but low quality evidence that exercise therapy for PFPS reduces pain, improves function and aids long-term recovery. However, there is insufficient evidence to compare the effectiveness of different types of exercises with each other, and exercises with other forms of treatment.
Exercise therapy is the recommended first line treatment of PFPS. Various exercises have been studied and recommended. Exercises are described according to 3 parameters:
Type of muscle activity (concentric, eccentric or isometric)
Type of joint movement (dynamic, isometric or static)
Reaction forces (closed or open kinetic chain)
The majority of exercise programs intended to treat PFPS are designed to strengthen the quadriceps muscles. Quadriceps strengthening is considered to be the "gold" standard treatment for PFPS. Quadriceps strengthening is commonly suggested because the quadriceps muscles help to stabilize the patella. Quadriceps weakness and muscle imbalance may contribute to abnormal patellar tracking.
If the strength of the vastus medialis muscle is inadequate, the usually larger and stronger vastus lateralis muscle will pull sideways (laterally) on the kneecap. Strengthening the vastus medialis to prevent or counter the lateral force of the vastus lateralis is one way of relieving PFPS. However, there is growing evidence that shows proximal factors play a much larger role than vastus medialis (VMO) strength deficits or quadriceps imbalance. Hip abductor, extensor, and external rotator strengthening may help.
Emphasis during exercise may be placed on coordinated contraction of the medial and lateral parts of the quadriceps as well as of the hip adductor, hip abductor and gluteal muscles. Many exercise programs include stretches designed to improve lower limb flexibility. Electromyographic biofeedback allows visualization of specific muscle contractions and may help individuals performing the exercises to target the intended muscles during the exercise. Electrostimulation may be used to apply external stimuli resulting in contraction of specific muscles and thus exercise.
Inflexibility has often been cited as a source of patellofemoral pain syndrome.  Stretching of the lateral knee has been suggested to help.
Knee and lumbar joint mobilization are not recommended as primary interventions for PFPS. It can be used as combination intervention, but as we continue to promote use of active and physical interventions for PFPS, passive interventions such as joint mobilizations are not recommended.
Patellofemoral pain syndrome