PFPS
Medical abbreviation · Musculoskeletal & Rheumatology
| Stands for | Patellofemoral pain syndrome |
|---|---|
| Categories | Medical |
PFPS stands for Patellofemoral pain syndrome, a musculoskeletal & rheumatology abbreviation.
Pain around or behind the kneecap that worsens with stairs, squatting, running and prolonged sitting, among the most common causes of knee pain in teenagers and runners. It reflects overload of the joint between the kneecap and femur rather than structural damage.
Example: Anterior knee pain with stairs and "theater sign", normal X-rays: PFPS, hip and quadriceps strengthening program.
Usage notes
Often called "runner's knee". Pain after sitting through a movie, the "theater sign", is a classic clue. Exercise therapy targeting the hip abductors and quadriceps is the best-supported treatment, while surgery is rarely helpful. It is more common in females. It differs from chondromalacia patellae, which describes actual cartilage softening.
Related abbreviations
More musculoskeletal & rheumatology abbreviations
- MUA – Manipulation under anesthesia
- NOF – Neck of femur (fracture)
- OA – Osteoarthritis
- OCD – Osteochondritis dissecans
- OI – Osteogenesis imperfecta
- ORIF – Open reduction and internal fixation
- PJI – Periprosthetic joint infection
- PM – Polymyositis
- PMR – Polymyalgia rheumatica
- PRP – Platelet-rich plasma
- PsA – Psoriatic arthritis
- RA – Rheumatoid arthritis
See all 71 musculoskeletal & rheumatology abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.