News & Activities

At the Patellofemoral Foundation, we are dedicated to providing valuable resources and educational content for those seeking to deepen their understanding of patellofemoral issues. We believe that informed practitioners can significantly improve patient outcomes. Today, we’d like to share a heartfelt testimonial from one of our valued learners. “… I’m studying…

In a retrospective cohort review of 142 consecutive skeletally immature patients who sustained a first-time patella dislocation, Kristen Reikersdorfer, BA, and colleagues compared 90 patients treated nonoperatively with 52 patients who chose combined medial patellofemoral ligament and medial quadriceps tendon femoral ligament reconstruction. Patients had a lower risk of postoperative instability…

Dr. John Fulkerson of the Patellofemoral Foundation (PFF) highlights the critical role of 3D computerized tomography (CT) in precision planning for patellofemoral instability surgery. He emphasizes that understanding the complex geometry of the patellofemoral joint is impossible without 3D imaging, making it essential for surgical planning. Key to this approach are…

The 2025 Patellofemoral Foundation (PFF) Annual Board Meeting and Luncheon took place on Thursday, March 13, in San Diego, California, coinciding with the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) conference. This year’s meeting was hosted by PFF founder and board president, Dr. John Fulkerson, who provided insightful highlights of the foundation’s…

Dr. Alan C. Merchant’s early 1980s presentation on patellofemoral pain (PFP) isn’t just historically significant; it’s a masterclass in medical communication. He cleverly uses the format of a silent film, complete with intertitles and dramatic pacing, to convey complex information in a memorable way. The presentation centers on Pauline, a fictional…

The recent International Sports Medicine Fellows (ISMF) Conference in Carlsbad, California, featured a highlight moment as Dr. Moises Cohen, a valued board member of The Patellofemoral Foundation, was honored for his contributions to orthopaedic surgery. Serving as Professor and Chairman of Orthopaedic Surgery at the Universidade Federal de São Paulo in…

The 25th International Sports Medicine Fellows Conference, held on February 7-8, 2025, in Carlsbad, California, showcased the contributions of leading experts in orthopaedic sports medicine. Miho J. Tanaka, MD, PhD, presented valuable insights on managing patellofemoral instability. Her discussions included a treatment algorithm for surgical indications and procedure choices, as well…

Dr. John Fulkerson, President of the Patellofemoral Foundation, recently shared valuable insights in an article published by Healio, a trusted medical media company dedicated to providing health care professionals with information and education. During the discussion, Dr. Fulkerson highlighted a critical point regarding the variability in the literature concerning the outcomes…

Anterior knee pain is a common complaint among patients, and a thorough evaluation can significantly aid in effective treatment. Dr. Bill Post, Board Member of the Patellofemoral Foundation, emphasizes the importance of assessing quadricep flexibility. He suggests placing the patient in a prone position and bringing the heel toward the buttock.…

Dr. John Fulkerson, president of the Patellofemoral Foundation, is excited to share valuable information about the collaboration between the Foundation and ISAKOS (International Society of Arthroscopy, Knee Surgery and Orthopaedic Sports Medicine). The partnership is dedicated to advancing education and training in the field of knee health, specifically concerning the patellofemoral…

Alan Merchant, MD, a visionary in the orthopedic field and a friend to all who were fortunate enough to know him, passed away on December 3rd, 2023. As we approach the one-year anniversary of his death, the PFF team reached out to Joan Merchant for some thoughts and reflections on the…

The Patellofemoral Foundation Board of Directors is pleased to announce that a generous donation of $10,000 has been received from Joan Merchant in the name of her late husband and Patellofemoral pioneer, Alan Merchant, MD. Dr. Merchant was a great supporter of the Foundation and the first recipient of the organization’s…