Study protocol: a randomised controlled trial comparing the long term effects of isolated hip strengthening, quadriceps-based training and free physical activity for patellofemoral pain syndrome (anterior knee pain).

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Abstract

[Indexed for MEDLINE] 14. Open Access J Sports Med. 2017 Jun 12;8:143-154. doi: 10.2147/OAJSM.S133406. eCollection 2017. Patellofemoral pain in athletes. Petersen W(1), Rembitzki I(2), Liebau C(3). Author information: (1)Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, Martin Luther Hospital, Grunewald, Berlin. (2)German Sport University Cologne. (3)Asklepios Clinic, Bad Harzburg, Germany. Patellofemoral pain (PFP) is a frequent cause of anterior knee pain in athletes, which affects patients with and without structural patellofemoral joint (PFJ) damage. Most younger patients do not have any structural changes to the PFJ, such as an increased Q angle and a cartilage damage. This clinical entity is known as patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). Older patients usually present with signs of patellofemoral osteoarthritis (PFOA). A key factor in PFPS development is dynamic valgus of the lower extremity, which leads to lateral patellar maltracking. Causes of dynamic valgus include weak hip muscles and rearfoot eversion with pes pronatus valgus. These factors can also be observed in patients with PFOA. The available evidence suggests that patients with PFP are best managed with a tailored, multimodal, nonoperative treatment program that includes short-term pain relief with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), passive correction of patellar maltracking with medially directed tape or braces, correction of the dynamic valgus with exercise programs that target the muscles of the lower extremity, hip, and trunk, and the use of foot orthoses in patients with additional foot abnormalities. DOI: 10.2147/OAJSM.S133406 PMCID: PMC5476763