Of the functional tests , squatting demonstrated the highest sensitivity .
Other useful tests include pain during stair climbing and prolonged sitting .
Conclusion A diagnostic checklist is useful as it provides a structured method for diagnosing AKP in a clinical setting .
Background  Anterior knee pain ( AKP ) or patellofemoral pain syndrome is common and may limit an individual 's ability to perform common activities of daily living such as stair climbing and prolonged sitting .
The diagnosis is difficult as there are multiple definitions for this disorder and there are no accepted criteria for diagnosis .
It is therefore most commonly a diagnosis that is made once other pathologies have been excluded .
Objectives The aim of this study was to create an evidence -based checklist for research ers and clinicians to use for the diagnosis of AKP .
Comparison of symptoms and clinical findings in subgroups of individuals with patellofemoral pain
Patellofemoral pain syndrome ( PFPS ) is one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders . However , no consensus on the definition , classification , assessment , diagnosis , or management has been reached . We evaluated symptoms and clinical findings in subgroups of individuals with PFPS , classified on the basis of the findings in radiological examinations and compared the findings with knee-healthy subjects . An orthopedic surgeon and a physical therapist consecutively examined 80 patients clinical ly diagnosed as having PFPS and referred for physical therapy .  The examination consisted of taking a case history and clinical tests . Radiography revealed pathology in 15 patients , and scintigraphic examination revealed focal uptake in 2 patients indicating pathology ( group C ) . Diffusely increased uptake was present in 29 patients ( group B ) . In the remaining 29 patients radiographic and scintigraphic examinations were normal ( group A ) . Knee-healthy controls ( group D ) reported no clinical symptoms . No symptom could be statistically demonstrated to differ between the three patient groups . Knee-healthy subjects differed significantly from the three patient groups in all clinical tests measuring pain in response to the provocations ; compression test , medial and lateral tenderness , passive gliding of the patella , but they also differed in Q angle . Differences in clinical tests between the patient groups were nonsignificant . The main finding in our study on patients clinical ly diagnosed with PFPS is that possible pathologies can not be detected from the patient 's history or from commonly used clinical tests
Of the functional tests , squatting demonstrated the highest sensitivity .
Other useful tests include pain during stair climbing and prolonged sitting .
Conclusion A diagnostic checklist is useful as it provides a structured method for diagnosing AKP in a clinical setting .
Background  Anterior knee pain ( AKP ) or patellofemoral pain syndrome is common and may limit an individual 's ability to perform common activities of daily living such as stair climbing and prolonged sitting .
The diagnosis is difficult as there are multiple definitions for this disorder and there are no accepted criteria for diagnosis .
It is therefore most commonly a diagnosis that is made once other pathologies have been excluded .
Objectives The aim of this study was to create an evidence -based checklist for research ers and clinicians to use for the diagnosis of AKP .