INTRODUCTION: Patellofemoral pain syndrome is a chronicle disease in the anterior knee area without any subsumable pathologic findings. The aetiology is probably caused by static disorders, a malalignment of the patella and dysfunction of the hip or knee musculature. The common conservative treatment has a range from different physiotherapeutic treatments up to taping and bracing. METHOD: The literature research has been carried out in the database of PubMed, PEDro and Cochrane. Included are only studies, which meet 5 of 10 PEDro criterias. RESULTS: The results of twelve included studies show that physiotherapy -- in comparison to a placebo group or a control group regarding the pain -- performs a significantly better result. Several strengthening methods achieve equal results. Treatment with bracing or taping performs the same result as physiotherapy alone. Insoles achieve a significant worse result. CONCLUSION: The effectiveness of physiotherapy is proven only in a few high quality studies. Furthermore randomized clinical trials with homogenic conditions are needed.

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