This is defined as damage to the cartilage localised only to the patellofemoral joint with little or no arthritis in the main part of the knee joint i.e. the medial and lateral compartments.

The symptoms are similar to patellofemoral pain syndrome i.e. pain when going up and down stairs squatting or rising from a seated position.

The cartilage damage in this area is usually caused by one of three problems:

1. Patella femoral instability / dislocation: this pathology results in traumatic damage to the cartilage in the joint and abnormal stress patterns resulting in a predisposition to developing osteoarthritis .

2. Post traumatic arthritis : this is cartilage damage that results from a fall or other traumatic injury to the knee which then progresses over time and results in osteoarthritis.

3. Overload osteoarthritis: This is similar to the osteoarthritis that takes place in any other joint and is characterised by generalised thinning of the cartilage resulting in pain at the front of the knee.

Patello-femoral osteoarthritis can be a disabling condition and requires proper assessment an investigation to identify the problem. We will thoroughly examine your knee and may obtain xrays and / or an MRI scan to assess the anatomy of your knee.