Primary prevention
Neuromuscular warm-up strategies, which include stretching, strengthening, balance exercises, sports-specific agility drills, and landing techniques, can reduce lower-extremity injury. In a population of army recruits, a warm-up and warm-down exercise intervention consisting of closed-chain strengthening and stretching exercises performed consistently over a 14-week training period proved effective in substantially reducing the incidence of anterior knee pain.[22]
Secondary prevention
Risk factor modification is important to prevent recurrence. Multiple risk factors contribute to the development of patellofemoral pain. Poor long-term results from rehabilitation programs may be related to the underlying etiologic factors not being fully addressed. A risk factor modification program may include patellar taping/bracing, foot orthoses, hip/core and quadriceps strengthening, a flexibility program, or soft tissue mobilization techniques. An effective preventive strategy needs to be specific for each patient and sustained in time.[6] A regular independent home therapy program should be recommended to achieve long-term successful results and avoid recurrence.[97][98]
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