What to expect from gait retraining for patellofemoral pain syndrome

The physiotherapist may observe your steps, cadence, stride, knee position, hip control, and trunk movement during walking, jogging, stairs, or a squat. They may test a small adjustment, such as changing step rhythm or reducing overstriding, and compare how your symptoms and movement respond.

Exercises for the hip, thigh, and calf often sit alongside gait practice. The plan is tailored to your activity, footwear, strength, and irritability rather than copied from another person with anterior knee pain.

Use the new pattern for brief, focused periods before adding more time. Practise on a predictable surface, monitor pain during the activity and later that day, and keep a record of stairs, hills, running, or sitting that affect symptoms. Progress one factor at a time, with guidance from your therapist.

Arrange a review if pain is steadily increasing, causes a limp, or fails to settle after reducing the exercise load. Prompt assessment is appropriate for a locked knee, repeated giving way, substantial swelling, or pain that began after a major injury.

Ask which movement change is most relevant to you, how to judge acceptable discomfort, which strengthening exercises to pair with it, and how to rebuild stairs, hills, or running without a sudden load increase.