DIFFERENTIAL-DIAGNOSIS IN PATIENTS WITH DISORDERS OF THE PATELLOFEMORAL JOINT

Anterior knee complaints are difficult diagnostic problems. It cannot be overstated that the most important information available is to be f ound in the patient's history. Onset, quality, and quantity of symptom s must be assessed. This information is then synthesized to determine the specific functional disabilities resulting from the patient's ante rior knee disorder. Once a history is obtained, a consistent, methodic al physical examination can be performed to narrow the differential di agnosis. Radiographic evaluation is used to further hone the different ial or to confirm the most likely diagnosis. Ultimately, a specific wo rking diagnosis is selected and treatment is tailored to changing the underlying structural or biomechanical abnormalities that led to the p atient's complaints.