Anterior Knee Pain: What Muscles Should I Strengthen?

Pain in the front of your knee or under your kneecap is often called patellofemoral pain. The pain may be a nagging ache or an occasional sharp twinge. Because the pain is around the front of your knee, treatment has traditionally focused on the knee itself. However, recent evidence suggests that strengthening your hip muscles can also help by decreasing the stress in your knee. A study published in the January 2018 issue of JOSPT provides new insights and evidence-based suggestions on how to strengthen your entire leg to decrease your knee pain and help you return to full activity. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2018;48(1):32. doi:10.2519/jospt.2018.0501.