The variables of force generation and application to cartilage, ligaments and bone remain to be defined

The patellofemoral (PF) joint continues to evoke interest because it commonly generates vague complaints for which surgical treatments often result in completely unpredictable results. The terms anterior knee pain, patellar instability, patellar chondropathy or cartilage injury, and patellar maltracking lack precise definition. These terms, however, are often interchanged without reason and this imprecision makes communication and logical decision making impossible.