Patellofemoral pain syndrome is defined as pain behind or around the patella caused by stress in the patellofemoral joint. Symptoms are usually provoked by climbing stairs, squatting, and sitting with flexed knees for long periods of time. It is a common presentation in general practice and can have a big effect on patients’ ability to work.1 Physiotherapy and foot orthoses available without prescription are often used in the management of patellofemoral pain syndrome. In the linked randomised controlled trial (doi:10.1136/bmj.a1735), Collins and colleagues assess the effectiveness of foot orthoses, flat insoles, multimodal physiotherapy (patellofemoral joint mobilisation, patellar taping, quadriceps muscle retraining, and education), or a combination of foot orthoses and physiotherapy in people with this syndrome.2

The rationale for treatment is to correct unbalanced tracking of the patella. Knee braces, knee taping, knee sleeves, and …