Patellar tendinopathy is a painful condition involving the patellar tendon at the front of the knee. It is commonly linked to repeated loading from jumping, sprinting, or frequent squatting. Many people know it as “jumper’s knee,” although it can occur in non-athletes too. Clinicians use the term to describe a spectrum of tendon pain and tendon tissue change.

Lateral patellar compression syndrome is a patellofemoral (kneecap) pain condition linked to excessive pressure on the outer (lateral) side of the kneecap. It is commonly discussed when people have front-of-knee pain with stairs, squatting, or prolonged sitting. Clinicians use the term to describe a pattern of symptoms and exam findings related to patellar tilt or tight lateral soft tissues. It appears most often in sports medicine, orthopedics, and physical therapy settings.

Patella baja is a term for a kneecap (patella) that sits lower than expected relative to the thigh bone (femur) and shin bone (tibia). It is sometimes called *patella infera* in clinical writing. It is commonly discussed in orthopedic clinics, radiology reports, sports medicine, and post-surgical knee follow-ups. It can be a normal variant in some people, or a clinically important finding in others.

Patella alta means the kneecap (patella) sits higher than usual relative to the thighbone (femur) and shinbone (tibia). It is an anatomic description, not a treatment or a device. Clinicians use it in orthopedic exams and imaging reports to describe patellofemoral alignment. It often comes up in evaluations for knee pain, kneecap instability, or sports-related symptoms.

Trochlear dysplasia is a shape abnormality of the femoral trochlea, the groove at the end of the thigh bone where the kneecap tracks. It is most commonly discussed in the context of kneecap instability, such as recurrent patellar subluxation or dislocation. It is identified through physical examination and imaging, and it can influence treatment planning. It is a diagnosis and an anatomic risk factor, not a medication or implant.

Patellar maltracking describes when the kneecap does not move smoothly in its groove during knee bending and straightening. It is commonly discussed in evaluations of anterior (front-of-knee) pain and kneecap instability. Clinicians use the term to connect symptoms to knee anatomy, movement patterns, and imaging findings. It may be seen in sports medicine, orthopedics, and physical therapy settings.

Patellar tilt describes how the kneecap (patella) is angled relative to the groove of the thigh bone (femur). It is most often discussed when the patella is angled outward (lateral tilt) rather than sitting evenly in the groove. Clinicians use Patellar tilt as a descriptive finding on exam and imaging in people with front-of-knee pain or instability. It is also used to help communicate alignment, tracking, and treatment planning for the patellofemoral joint.

MPFL reconstruction is a knee surgery that rebuilds the medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL). The MPFL helps keep the kneecap (patella) tracking in place on the thigh bone (femur). This procedure is commonly used for patellar instability, especially repeated kneecap dislocations. It is most often discussed in sports medicine and orthopedic care for anterior knee problems.

An MPFL tear is an injury to the medial patellofemoral ligament, a key stabilizer of the kneecap. It most often occurs when the kneecap (patella) dislocates or partially dislocates to the outside of the knee. In plain terms, it is a “torn kneecap-stabilizing ligament” on the inner side of the knee. The term is commonly used in orthopedics, sports medicine, emergency care, and physical therapy when evaluating kneecap instability.

Patellar subluxation is a partial, temporary shift of the kneecap out of its normal track. It usually involves the patella moving toward the outside (lateral side) of the knee. It can cause pain, a “giving way” feeling, or a brief sense that the kneecap slid and then returned. The term is commonly used in orthopedics, sports medicine, and physical therapy when discussing patellofemoral (kneecap–thigh bone) instability.