Risk factors

Factors that can increase your risk include:

• Age. Patellofemoral pain syndrome typically affects adolescents and young adults. Knee problems in older populations are more commonly caused by arthritis.
• Sex. Women are twice as likely as men are to develop patellofemoral pain. This may be because a woman's wider pelvis increases the angle at which the bones in the knee joint meet.
• Certain sports. Participation in running and jumping sports can put extra stress on your knees, especially when you increase your training level.