For patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome whose symptoms continue despite an adequate course of physical therapy, what adjunctive treatments (bracing, taping, injections, orthotics, or imaging) do you consider most helpful?

After an adequate course of physical therapy (under the guidance of a knowledgeable PT), I recommend imaging to determine if there is underlying pathology like chondromalacia, chondrosis/fissuring, an OCD lesion, or perhaps a tendinopathy or fat pad impingement. Starting with a plain film (AP, lateral, sunrise) can be helpful to determine patella positioning, which may predispose to patellar pathology. I will then order an MRI without contrast to have a good look at the cartilage and other soft ...