Association between increase in vertical ground reaction force loading rate and pain level in women with patellofemoral pain after a patellofemoral joint loading protocol.

BACKGROUND: The etiology of patellofemoral pain (PFP) is thought to be the result of increased patellofemoral joint (PFJ) load and aberrant lower extremity mechanics, including altered vertical ground reaction forces (VGRF). However, few studies have investigated the association between an increase in pain and VGRF loading rates in the context of PFP. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the immediate effects of PFJ loading on pain and VGRF loading rate, and to see if there is a link between modification of both pain and VGRF loading rate during stair negotiation. METHODS: Thirty-four women with PFP underwent VGRF analysis during stair negotiation under two conditions: with (condition 2) and without (condition 1) being previously submitted to a PFJ loading protocol in order to or not to exacerbate their knee pain, respectively. RESULTS: The VGRF loading rates were significantly higher in condition 2 (Mean ± standard deviation (SD)=4.0±0.6N/s) compared to condition 1 (Mean±SD=3.6±0.5N/s) during stair ascent and during stair descent (Mean±SD: condition 1=6.3±1.1N/s; condition 2=7.0±1.4N/s). In addition, VGRF loading rates were higher during stair descent compared to stair ascent in both conditions. There were significant correlations between the increase in pain and VGRF loading rate during both tasks. CONCLUSION: There seemed to be an important relation between the increase in pain and VGRF loading rates in women with PFP. Based on these findings, interventions aimed at reducing VGRF loading rates are important in the context of PFP.

Radiofrecuencia pulsada para el tratamiento del síndrome de dolor patelofemoral postraumático / Pulsed radiofrequency for treatment of post-traumatic patellofemoral pain syndrome

El síndrome de dolor patelofemoral puede ser definido como dolor retropatelar o peripatelar resultante de cambios físicos y bioquímicos en la articulación patelofemoral. En ortopedia, las causas más comunes serían el sobreuso, el mal alineamiento patelofemoral y el trauma. Presentamos un caso del uso de radiofrecuencia pulsada selectiva de los nervios patelares, medial y lateral, para el tratamiento del dolor patelofemoral postraumático crónico. La radiofrecuencia pulsada puede ser una opción mínimamente invasiva para el tratamiento del síndrome de dolor patelofemoral postraumático...

Patellofemoral pain syndrome can be defined as retropatellar or peripatellar pain resulting from physical and biochemical changes in the patellofemoral joint. In orthopaedics, the most common causes include overuse, patellofemoral malalignment, and trauma. The case is reported of chronic post-traumatic patellofemoral pain syndrome treated with pulsed radiofrequency of both the medial and lateral patellar nerves. Pulsed radiofrequency might be a minimally invasive option for treatment of post-traumatic patellofemoral pain syndrome...

Avaliação isocinética, dor e funcionalidade de sujeitos com síndrome da dor patelofemoral / Isokinetic evaluation, pain and functionalidad of subjects with patellofemoral pain syndrome / Evaluación isocinética, dolor y funcionalidad de sujetos con síndrome de dolor patelofemoral

Este estudo visou determinar a influência da Síndrome da Dor Patelofemoral (SDPF) sobre o pico de torque e trabalho da musculatura flexora e extensora do joelho, além de avaliar a dor e funcionalidade de sujeitos com a disfunção. Participaram 52 sujeitos do gênero feminino, 23 com SDPF e 29 clinicamente saudáveis similares em idade, estatura e massa corporal. A avaliação isocinética foi realizada no modo concêntrico para os flexores e extensores do joelho nas velocidades de 60 e 180°/s. Também foi aplicada a Escala Visual Numérica antes e após cada velocidade do teste isocinético e o questionário de Kujala. Os dados foram analisados pela estatística descritiva e inferencial (testes U de Mann-Whitney, Wilcoxon e t independente) com nível de significância de α=0,05. O Grupo com Síndrome da Dor Patelofemoral (GSDPF) apresentou menor pontuação (p=0,01) no questionário de Kujala (75,7±12,3 pontos) em relação ao Grupo Controle (GC) (100±0,0 pontos), além de menor pico de torque, tanto em 60 como 180°/s, dos flexores (0,82±0,24 Nm/kg; 0,51±0,22 Nm/kg) e extensores (1,85±0,48 Nm/kg; 1,13±0,44 Nm/kg) do joelho, bem como menor trabalho total dos extensores do joelho a 180°/s (6,46±2,54 J/kg) e 60°/s (9,42±3,27 J/kg). Além disso, foi observado aumento da dor do GSDPF após a avaliação isocinética a 180°/s (0,9 cm) e 60°/s (2,3 cm). Os resultados evidenciaram que sujeitos com SDPF possuem menor capacidade funcional e menor pico de torque e trabalho dos flexores e extensores do joelho, sugerindo que o fortalecimento desta musculatura deve ser considerado na reabilitação destes sujeitos...

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS) on peak torque and work in knee flexor and extensor muscles. In addition to evaluate pain and function of subjects with the disfunction. Fifty two females subjects, 23 with diagnosis of PFPS and 29 control subjects, similar for age, height and body mass, participated in this study. The isokinetic evaluation was performed in concentric mode for knee flexors and extensors at speeds of 60 and 180°/s. In addition, was applied to Visual Numerical Scale before and after each velocity of isokinetic testing and Kujala questionnaire. Data were analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics (U Mann-Whitney, Wilcoxon and t independent tests) with alpha level at α=0.05. The Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome Group (PFPSG) had lower scores (p=0.01) on Kujala questionnaire (75.7±12.3 points) in relation to Control Group (CG) (100±0.0 points), and lower peak torque of knee flexors (0.82±0.24 Nm/kg; 0.51±0.22 Nm/kg) and extensors (1.85±0.48 Nm/kg; 1.13±0.44 Nm/kg) in 60 and 180°/s and lower total work of knee extensors at 180°/s (6.46±2.54 J/kg) and 60°/s (9.42±3.27 J/kg). In addition, there was exacerbation of pain in PFPSG after the isokinetic evaluation at 180°/s (0.9 cm) and 60°/s (2.3 cm). The results showed that individuals with PFPS have lower functional capacity and lower peak torque and work flexors and knee extensors, suggesting that strengthening these muscles must be considered in the rehabilitation of these subjects...

Este estudio tiene como objetivo determinar la influencia del Síndrome de Dolor Patelofemoral (SDPF) sobre el peak de torque y el trabajo de la musculatura flexora y extensora de la rodilla, además de evaluar el dolor y la funcionalidad de sujetos con esta disfunción. Participaron 52 sujetos de género femenino, 23 con SDPF (GSDPF) y 29 clínicamente saludables (GC) similares en edad, estatura y masa corporal. La evaluación isocinética fue realizada en el modo concéntrico para los flexores y extensores de rodilla en las velocidades de 60 y 180°/s. También fue aplicada la Escala Visual Numérica antes y después de cada velocidad del test isocinético y el Cuestionario de Kujala. Los datos fueron analizados por estadística descriptiva e inferencial (Tests U de Mann-Whitney, Wilcoxon y T independiente) con un nivel de significancia de α=0,05. El GSDPF presentó menor puntuación (p=0,01) en el Cuestionario de Kujala (75,7±12,3 puntos) en relación al GC (100±0,0 puntos), además presentó un menor peak de torque, tanto en 180°/s y 60°/s. Los resultados evidencian que sujetos con SDPF poseen menor capacidad funcional y peak de torque de trabajo de los flexores y extensores de rodilla, sugiriendo que el fortalecimiento de esta musculatura debe ser considerada en la rehabilitación de estos sujetos...

Clinical rearfoot and knee static alignment measurements are not associated with patellofemoral pain syndrome / Medidas clínicas estáticas do retropé e joelho não estão associadas à síndrome da dor patelofemoral

The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between the patellofemoral pain syndrome and the clinical static measurements: the rearfoot and the Q angles. The design was a cross-sectional, observational, case-control study. We evaluated 77 adults (both genders), 30 participants with patellofemoral pain syndrome, and 47 controls. We measured the rearfoot and Q angles by photogrammetry. Independent t-tests were used to compare outcome continuous measures between groups. Outcome continuous data were also transformed into categorical clinical classifications, in order to verify their statistical association with the dysfunction, and χ2 tests for multiple responses were used. There were no differences between groups for rearfoot angle [mean differences: 0.2º (95%CI -1.4-1.8)] and Q angle [mean differences: -0.3º (95%CI -3.0-2.4). No associations were found between increased rearfoot valgus [Odds Ratio: 1.29 (95%CI 0.51-3.25)], as well as increased Q angle [Odds Ratio: 0.77 (95%CI 0.31-1.93)] and the patellofemoral pain syndrome occurrence. Although widely used in clinical practice and theoretically thought, it cannot be affirmed that increased rearfoot valgus and increased Q angle, when statically measured in relaxed stance, are associated with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). These measures may have limited applicability in screening of the PFPS development.

O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar se existe associação entre a síndrome da dor patelofemoral e as medidas clínicas estáticas: os ângulos do retropé e Q. Foi realizado um estudo observacional, transversal, caso-controle, no qual foram avaliados 77 adultos (ambos os sexos), 30 participantes com síndrome da dor patelofemoral e 47 controles. Foram medidos os ângulos do retropé e Q, por meio da fotogrametria. Testes t para amostras independentes foram usados para comparações dos resultados das variáveis contínuas entre os grupos. Os resultados das variáveis contínuas foram transformados em classificações clínicas categóricas, para verificar a associação estatística com a disfunção, e o teste do χ2 para respostas múltiplas também foi utilizado. Não houve diferença entre os grupos para o ângulo do retropé [média da diferença: 0,2º (IC95% -1,4-1,8)] e ângulo Q [média da diferença: -0,3º (IC95%-3,0-2,4). Não houve associação entre o ângulo do retropé [Odds Ratio: 1,29 (IC95% 0,51-3,25)], assim como entre o ângulo Q [Odds Ratio: 0.77 (IC95% 0,31-1,93)] e a ocorrência da síndrome da dor patelofemoral. Apesar de serem teoricamente justificadas e amplamente utilizadas na prática clínica fisioterapêutica, não pode-se afirmar que as medidas dos ângulos do retropé e Q, quando mensuradas em posição ortostática, estão associadas com a ocorrência da síndrome da dor patelofemoral. Essas medidas podem ter aplicabilidade limitada na triagem desta disfunção.

[Clinical association between patellofemoral pain with arthroscopic findings]. / Asociación clínica entre dolor patelofemoral y los hallazgos artroscópicos.

UNLABELLED: The purpose of this study was to associate patellofemoral pain with the findings of arthroscopic procedures. A visual analogue scale was used considering that 1 represented no pain and 10 severe pain, the functional Lysholm scale for function, and the Outerbridge classification to determine the grade of the articular cartilage lesion. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study population was composed of an heterogeneous group of patients with chondral lesions. This is a retrospective, observational and longitudinal study undertaken for a period of 18 months. Sixty-nine patients had patellofemoral pain, and traumatic knee injuries were excluded. RESULTS: Sixty-eight patients were found to have a chondral lesion, only one patient did not. In the latter only loose body removal was performed. The most frequent procedure was articular lavage, debridement and chondroplasty in 98.5%. Thirty-five patients were found to have knee arthrosis grade IV (50.7%); the broadest functional improvement range occurred in patients with arthrosis grades I and III. DISCUSSION: Patients with mild-to-moderate knee arthrosis grades I to III are the ones with the highest chance of success from the perspective of pain relief and functionality of arthroscopic surgery.

Medial contact and smaller plantar loads characterize individuals with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome during stair descent.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate plantar pressure distribution in individuals with and without Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome during the support phase of stair descent. DESIGN: Observational case-control study. PARTICIPANTS: 30 young adults with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome and 44 matched controls. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Contact area, peak pressure and pressure-time integral (Novel Pedar-X system) were evaluated in six plantar areas (medial, central and lateral rearfoot; midfoot; medial and lateral forefoot) during stair descent. RESULTS: Contact area was greater in the Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome Group at medial rearfoot (p = 0.019) and midfoot (p < 0.001). Subjects with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome presented smaller peak pressures (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The pattern of plantar pressure distribution during stair descent in Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome subjects was different from controls. This seems to be related to greater medial rearfoot and midfoot support. Smaller plantar loads found in Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome subjects during stair descent reveal a more cautious motor pattern in a challenging task.