Differences in pain and function between adolescent athletes and physically active non-athletes with patellofemoral pain

To investigate pain level and function limitation in adolescent athletes and physically active non-athletes with PFP. Cross-sectional study. Adolescent athletes were recruited at a sport center complex. Adolescent non-athletes were recruited from upper secondary schools. 108 adolescents diagnosed with PFP: 42 adolescent athletes and 66 adolescent non-athletes. To evaluate the level of pain, a visual analog scale (VAS) was used and to evaluate the overall function, the Knee Outcome in Osteoarthritis Survey (KOOS) was used. The adolescent athletes scored significantly higher in the VAS (Mean difference = 0.97 (95% CI = 0.35; 1.60) p = 0.003) compared to adolescent non-athletes. Adolescent athletes scored lower in the KOOS - Symptoms, Pain, Knee-related quality of life and Sport and recreation dimensions - than the non-athletes, however, the minimally clinically important difference was not achieved in Pain dimension. There was no significant difference in the Activities of daily living dimension of the KOOS. Adolescent athletes presented higher levels of pain and lower physical function status compared with physically active non-athletes. This provides an important insight to the management of PFP in adolescent athletes as worst functional status is linked with poor prognosis in patients with PFP. •Adolescent athletes with PFP presented higher levels of pain than non-athletes.•Adolescent athletes with PFP presented lower physical function than non-athletes.•Early management of PFP in adolescents' athletes should be of utmost importance.