Pain in the front of the knee

[Mary Mallozziberg]

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.
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