injuries and poisoning
Pain in the Front of the Knee
Introduction
Factors such as weak thigh muscles, excessive pronation, and tight leg muscles and tendons can cause pain in the front part of the knee. People may feel pain when running downhill but eventually may have pain during walking. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and arthroscopy may be needed for diagnosis. People should stop running until there is no pain and then use exercise to strengthen and balance muscles around the knee. If excessive pronation causes pain, shoe inserts can help. (See also Overview of Sports Injuries .) The kneecap (patella) is a circular bone that is attached to ligaments and tendons around the knee and normally moves up and down the thighbone during running. Normally, the kneecap (patella) moves up and down the thigh bone during running. People may feel pain in the kneecap because thigh muscles are weak or the feet roll in too much (pronation). As a result, the kneecap rubs abnormally against the thigh bone, causing increased wear and tear. Pain in the front of the knee (anterior knee pain) may be caused by A kneecap located too high or too low in the front of the knee joint Off-center insertion of the muscles around the knee cap Tight, shortened hamstring muscles Tight Achilles tendon Weak thigh muscles—which normally help stabilize the knee 