Introduction: Anecdotal evidence from local clinicians suggested that a wide range of therapies are employed in treating patello femoral pain syndrome.

Objective: The aim of this review was to systematically search and critically appraise the literature on patello femoral pain syndrome.

Methods: The definition of patellofemoral pain syndrome was broad and included patients with cartilage damage. This involved computer based and hand searches as well as writing to potential authors.

Results: Five randomised controlled trials were found as well as some follow up studies. The prognosis for most new cases of patellofemoral pain syndrome is good although a proportion will have persisting symptoms. Quadriceps exercises were effective while knee braces were not. Both orthotics and intramuscular glycosaminoglycan polysulfate had encouraging results for patients with cartilage damage and confirmation of these results is needed.

Discussion: There were many studies of biomechanics with an assumption that alteration of abnormal biomechanics will result in clinical benefit. More emphasis needs to be placed on therapeutic benefit. There is limited evidence on which to base therapy and there needs to be more high quality research. Studies need to be longer, account for predisposing factors and have more standardised means of assessing outcomes.