Three years ago I had a knee problem called patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). Now I’m having new symptoms in the same knee. Last time the kneecap hurt and popped whenever I straightened the leg. This time there’s pain all the time and swelling. Am I having a relapse?

There are two symptoms most common with PFPS. Often there is pain with prolonged sitting. When the knee is straightened a painful pop occurs. This is referred to as the movie-goers sign. With PFPS, there is usually no swelling or just a small amount of swelling. A large amount of swelling points to some other cause of the pain.

The second symptom often reported by patients with PFPS is pain going up and down stairs and hills.

If your symptoms don’t get better gradually with rest, ice, and elevation, it may be a good idea to see a doctor who can diagnose the real cause of your problem. Early treatment can help prevent worse problems later with many knee conditions.