Physical Therapists' Prognosis of Outcomes After a Hip or Quadriceps Exercise Intervention in Patients With Patellofemoral Pain: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Trial.

OBJECTIVE: Can physical therapists who are treating patients with patellofemoral pain (PFP) predict the outcome of a 12-week exercise intervention based on initial assessment, and what are the physical therapists' reasons for prediction? DESIGN: Secondary analysis of a randomized trial. METHODS: After the initial assessment, physical therapists were asked to predict the prognosis of 200 patients with PFP who were allocated to 12 weeks of quadriceps exercises (QEs) or hip exercises (HEs) on a 1-to-10 Likert scale, and to describe their reasoning for the prediction score. OUTCOMES: measures were changes from baseline to weeks 12 and 26 on the Anterior Knee Pain Scale (range 0-100) and a transition questionnaire (TransQ). Linear mixed-effects models were used to assess the prediction. Secondly, we used a qualitative approach to summarize the physical therapists' reasoning (written notes) when predicting the outcome. RESULTS: There was no association between physical therapists' prognosis and changes in Anterior Knee Pain Scale for QE or HE at weeks 12 and 26 (slopes: -0.14 to -0.51 with wide 95% confidence intervals). There was no association between physical therapists' assessment of prognosis using TransQ for QE or HE at weeks 12 and 26 (odds ratio: 0.99 to 1.17 with wide 95% confidence intervals). CONCLUSION: Physical therapists' prognosis based on initial assessment was not associated with outcomes after 12 weeks of either quadriceps or hip exercise therapy among patients with PFP. Physical therapists' prognoses were not useful as a source of information and to identify PFP patients with poor or good projected outcomes. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2024;54(8):541-550. Epub 6 June 2024. doi:10.2519/jospt.2024.12258.

Sinergismo entre o vasto lateral e vasto medial oblíquo durante a marcha após a reconstrução do ligamento cruzado anterior / Synergism between vastus lateralis and vastus medialis oblique during gait after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar a co-contração muscular (CCM) e ativação dos músculos vasto lateral (VL) vasto medial oblíquo (VMB) durante a marcha e uma amostra saudável ­ grupo controle (GC) e pacientes submetidos a reconstrução do ligamento cruzado anterior (RLCA). Métodos: Vinte e três indivíduos participaram neste estudo, 14 GC e 9 RLCA. A atividade mioelétrica do VL e VMO foram captados para cálculo da CCM. A razão VL/VMO foi obtida dividindo o sinal normalizado desses dois músculos em cada ponto da curva. O valor da CCM e a relação de ativação na fase de apoio duplo, fase de apoio simples, fase de apoio terminal e fase de balanço foram obtidas pelo cálculo da média aritmética dos valores de intensidade da curva comum em cada intervalo. Resultado: CCM foi significativamente menor no grupo RLCA durante a fase de apoio dupla (p=0.001), efeito máximo (1.72). Não foram encontradas diferenças entre as outras comparações. Conclusão: O resultado desse estudo mostrou que a contração dos músculos VL e o VMO na fase inicial de apoio duplo da marcha foi diferente entre indivíduos saudáveis e submetidos a RLCA. Este achado pode estar relacionado a diminuição da estabilidade patelofemoral durante a resposta a carga, aumentando o potencial risco de desenvolver lesões nesta articulação.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare vastus lateralis and vastus medialis oblique (VL/VMO) muscle co-contraction (MCC) and activation ratio during gait between healthy subjects- control group (CG), and those with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Methods: Twenty-three subjects participated in this study, 14 CG and 9 ACLR. The myoelectric activities of the VL and VMO were captured to calculate the MCC. The VL/VMO ratio was obtained by dividing the normalized signals of these two muscles at each point of the curve. The MCC values and the activation ratio in the initial double limb stance, single limb stance, terminal double limb stance and swing were obtained by calculating the arithmetic mean of the intensity values ​​of the common curve in each interval. Results: MCC was significantly lower in the ACLR group during the initial double limb stance phase (p=0.001), with a high effect size (1.72). No significant differences were found for the other comparisons. Conclusions: The results of this study showed that the VL and VMO muscles co-contraction in the initial double limb stance phase of gait was different between the healthy and ACLR individuals. This finding may be related to lower patellofemoral stability during the loading response, increasing the potential risk for the development of injuries in this joint.

Eficácia de um protocolo de exercícios em cadeia cinética fechada para indivíduos com dor femoropatelar / Effectiveness of a closed kinetic chain exercise protocol for individuals with femoropatelar pain

Introdução: Acredita-se que resultados controversos quanto à melhor abordagem terapêutica para a Dor Femoropatelar (DFP) estejam relacionados a não padronização dos voluntários antes das avaliações com relação ao nível de estresse articular. Objetivo: Verificar a eficácia de um protocolo de fortalecimento para indivíduos com DFP submetidos a um protocolo de estresse articular prévio às avaliações a fim de padronizar os indivíduos. Métodos: Participaram 24 indivíduos (14 DFP /10 controle). Utilizou-se testes ortopédicos, teste funcional step down, escalas e questionários para dor e funcionalidade. O grupo DFP realizou um protocolo de fortalecimento durante três meses. Resultados: Melhora nos testes ortopédicos, no teste funcional step down (p=0,000) e em todos os questioná- rios e escalas (p=0,000) foram observadas. O grupo DFP assemelhou-se ao grupo controle em relação ao teste funcional e aos questionários (p>0,05). Conclusão: O protocolo foi efetivo, o grupo DFP assemelhou-se ao grupo controle após a intervenção.

Introduction: It is believed that controversial results regarding the best therapeutic approach for atellofemoral Pain (DFP) are related to non-standardization of volunteers before assessments regarding joint stress level. Objective: To verify the effectiveness of a strengthening protocol for individuals with DFP undergoing a joint stress protocol prior to the evaluations in order to standardize the individuals. Methods: Twenty-four subjects (14 DFP / 10 healthy-control) participated. Orthopedic tests, functional step down test, scales and questionnaires for pain and functionality were used. The DFP group underwent a strengthening protocol for three months. Results: Improvement in orthopedic tests, step down functional test (p = 0.000) and in all questionnaires and scales (p = 0.000) were observed. The DFP group resembled the control group in relation to functional test and questionnaires (p> 0.05). Conclusion: The protocol was effective, the DFP group resembled the control group after the intervention.

La osteotomía patelar coronal de la faceta externa asociada a liberación del retináculo lateral mejora los resultados clínicos de la liberación lateral aislada en el síndrome de compresión lateral de rótula / Coronal patellar osteotomy of the external facet combined with the release of the lateral retinaculum improves the clinical outcomes of isolated lateral release in lateral knee compartment syndrome

Objetivo. Descripción de una nueva osteotomía coronal de la faceta externa de la rótula y valorar si los resultados del tratamiento del síndrome de compresión lateral de la rótula (SCLR) con nuestra osteotomía junto a la liberación del retináculo lateral externo son mejores que la liberación aislada del retináculo lateral. Material y métodos. Estudio prospectivo con 2 años de seguimiento, donde tratamos 70 pacientes diagnosticados de SCLR y distribuidos en 2 grupos: un primer grupo de 50 pacientes en los que se realizó la liberación del retináculo lateral asociada a osteotomía, y un segundo grupo de 20 pacientes en los que se realizó una liberación aislada del retináculo lateral. Se midió la escala funcional de Werner de forma preoperatoria y a los 3, 12 y 24 meses. Resultados. Existen diferencias significativas en el estado funcional global postoperatorio entre grupos (mejor el grupo de osteotomía en todos los intervalos, p<0,05). La mejoría, que es progresiva hasta los 12 meses, experimenta un ligero retroceso a los 24, aunque los valores siguen siendo mejores que los preoperatorios en ambos grupos. Todas las variables muestran valores mejores en el grupo de la osteotomía. La variable con mayor mejoría es aparición del dolor. Los pacientes con SCLR con signos degenerativos presentaron un beneficio en todos los casos. Conclusión. Los resultados muestran que la técnica de osteotomía rotuliana descrita asociado a la liberación del retináculo lateral mejora de forma significativa el dolor y la escala funcional de pacientes con SCLR a los 2 años de seguimiento, en mayor grado que lo hace la liberación aislada del retináculo lateral, incluso en aquellos en los que existe evidencia de signos degenerativos (AU)

Objective. To describe a novel coronal osteotomy of the external facet of the patella, and to evaluate if the outcomes of the treatment of lateral knee compartment syndrome (LKCS) with this osteotomy, combined with the release of the external lateral retinaculum, are better than the isolated lateral retinacular release. Material and methods. A prospective study with a 2 year follow up that included 70 patients diagnosed with LKCS, distributed into 2 groups. The first group included 50 patients on whom the lateral retinacular release combined with osteotomy was performed, and a second group on whom an isolated retinacular release was performed. Measurements were made using the Werner functional scale before the surgery and at 3, 12, and 24 months follow-up. Results. There were significant differences in the overall functional state between the two groups after the surgery (better in the osteotomy group at all the intervals, P<.05). The improvement, which was progressive up to 12 months, was slightly less at 24 months, although the values were still better than the pre-surgical ones in both groups. Pain was the variable that showed most improvement. The patients with LKCS with degenerative signs showed a benefit in all cases. Conclusion. The results demonstrate that the described patellar osteotomy technique, combined with lateral retinacular release, significantly improves the pain and the functional scale score of patients with LKCS after 2 years of follow-up, to a greater extent than isolated lateral retinacular release, including those in which there was evidence of degenerative signs (AU)

Plicatura medial asistida por artroscopia a propósito de un caso / Arthroscopically-a medial plication: a case report / Plicature médiale assistée par arthroscopie, à propos d'un cas

La plicatura medial asistida por artroscopia constituye una variedad quirúrgica empleada en pacientes que presentan mala alineación patelofemoral. El paciente de 44 años de edad, blanca, femenina con antecedentes de salud anterior, la cual desde hace aproximadamente un año refiere dolor a nivel de la cara anterior de la rodilla izquierda, para lo cual ha llevado tratamiento en múltiples ocasiones con analgésicos, antiinflamatorios no esteroideos y varias sesiones de terapia de rehabilitación con respuesta muy limitada a sus síntomas. Se realizó liberación del retináculo lateral acompañada de plicatura medial, esta técnica se describe por pasos. La plicatura medial asistida por artroscopia, es un procedimiento simple, que no necesita de una curva larga de aprendizaje y presenta un mínimo de complicaciones.

Arthroscopically-assisted medial placation is a surgical variety used in patients with poor patellofemoral alignment. 44-year-old, white female patient, with previous health history of concerns, refers pain at the anterior aspect of her left knee for about a year. She has been treated with analgesics, NSAIDs multiple times and several rehabilitation therapy sessions with very limited response to her symptoms. Release of the lateral retinaculum accompanied by medial plication was performed on this patiente. This technique is described by steps. Assisted arthroscopic medial plication is a simple procedure which does not require long learning curve and it has a minimum of complications.

La plicature médiale assistée par arthroscopie constitue une technique chirurgicale employée chez les patients atteints d’un mauvais alignement fémoro-pathélaire. Le cas d’un patient (femme âgée de 44 ans, blanche) avec une historie de santé antérieure, référant depuis un an à peu près une douleur au niveau de la face antérieure du genou gauche, plusieurs traitements (analgésiques, antiinflammatoires non stéroïdiens), et pas mal de sessions de rééducation sans réponse satisfaisante, est présenté. On a effectué la libération du rétinaculum latéral, conjointement avec une plicature médiale. La plicature médiale assistée par arthroscopie est une procédure simple n’ayant pas besoin d’une longue courbe d’apprentissage et présentant très peu de complications.

Plicatura medial asistida por artroscopia a propósito de un caso / Arthroscopically-a medial plication: A case report

La plicatura medial asistida por artroscopia constituye una variedad quirúrgica empleada en pacientes que presentan mala alineación patelofemoral. El paciente de 44 años de edad, blanca, femenina con antecedentes de salud anterior, la cual desde hace aproximadamente un año refiere dolor a nivel de la cara anterior de la rodilla izquierda, para lo cual ha llevado tratamiento en múltiples ocasiones con analgésicos, antiinflamatorios no esteroideos y varias sesiones de terapia de rehabilitación con respuesta muy limitada a sus síntomas. Se realizó liberación del retináculo lateral acompañada de plicatura medial, esta técnica se describe por pasos. La plicatura medial asistida por artroscopia, es un procedimiento simple, que no necesita de una curva larga de aprendizaje y presenta un mínimo de complicaciones(AU)

Arthroscopically-assisted medial placation is a surgical variety used in patients with poor patellofemoral alignment. 44-year-old, white female patient, with previous health history of concerns, refers pain at the anterior aspect of her left knee for about a year. She has been treated with analgesics, NSAIDs multiple times and several rehabilitation therapy sessions with very limited response to her symptoms. Release of the lateral retinaculum accompanied by medial plication was performed on this patiente. This technique is described by steps. Assisted arthroscopic medial plication is a simple procedure which does not require long learning curve and it has a minimum of complications.

La plicature médiale assistée par arthroscopie constitue une technique chirurgicale employée chez les patients atteints dun mauvais alignement fémoro-pathélaire. Le cas dun patient (femme âgée de 44 ans, blanche) avec une historie de santé antérieure, référant depuis un an à peu près une douleur au niveau de la face antérieure du genou gauche, plusieurs traitements (analgésiques, antiinflammatoires non stéroïdiens), et pas mal de sessions de rééducation sans réponse satisfaisante, est présenté. On a effectué la libération du rétinaculum latéral, conjointement avec une plicature médiale. La plicature médiale assistée par arthroscopie est une procédure simple nayant pas besoin dune longue courbe dapprentissage et présentant très peu de complications(AU)

Estimulação elétrica neuromuscular na disfunção patelofemoral: revisão de literatura / Neuromuscular electric stimulation in patellofemoral dysfunction: riterature review

A disfunção femoropatelar é uma deficiência bastante comum entre indivíduos jovens que acomete, principalmente, o sexo feminino e pode ser caracterizada por dor, edema e creptação retropatelar. Sistematizar o conhecimento em relação ao aumento da força muscular do quadríceps e alívio de dor em pacientes com disfunção femoropatelar, através da utilização da estimulação elétrica neuromuscular e exercícios resistidos. Trata se de um estudo de revisão narrativa da literatura no período de 2005 a 2011. Os critérios de inclusão foram artigos de intervenção, dos últimos seis anos, nos idiomas inglês, espanhol e português, que utilizaram o fortalecimento muscular e a eletroestimulação neuromuscular para reabilitação obtidos através de buscas nos bancos de dados eletrônicos Medline, Lilacs e na biblioteca Bireme. A busca bibliográfica resultou em 28 referências, destes foram excluídos nove de acordo com os objetivos e critérios de inclusão e foram selecionados 16 artigos para leitura dos resumos e posterior análise. A Estimulação Elétrica Neuromuscular (EENM) de média frequência pode ser utilizada associada a exercícios resistidos como coadjuvante no tratamento da disfunção femoropatelar (DFP), tanto para se obter um reequilíbrio muscular quanto para o alívio da dor.

Patellofemoral dysfunction is a fairly common deficiency among young individuals that primarily affects females and may be characterized by pain, swelling and retropatellar crepitation. The purpose of this review of literature from the period between 2005 and 2011 was to systematize knowledge in relation to the increase in quadriceps muscle strength and pain relief in patients with patellofemoral dysfunction, using neuromuscular electrical stimulation and resistance exercises. The inclusion criteria were intervention articles from the past six years, in English, Spanish and Portuguese, which used muscle strengthening and neuromuscular electrical stimulation for rehabilitation obtained through searches in the electronic databases Medline and Lilacs and in the Bireme library. The bibliographic search yielded 28 references, of which nine were excluded in accordance with the aims and inclusion criteria while 16 articles were selected for reading of the abstracts and subsequent analysis. Mediumfrequency Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) can be used in association with resistance exercises as an adjuvant in the treatment of patellofemoral dysfunction (PFD), both to achieve muscle rebalance and for pain relief.

Comparação entre os exercícios em cadeia cinética aberta e cadeia cinética fechada na reabilitação da disfunção femoropatelar: [revisão] / Comparison of exercise open kinetic chain and closed kinetic chain in the rehabilitation of patellofemoral dysfunction: [review]

A disfunção femoropatelar (DFP) é uma patologia caracterizada por dor na região patelofemoral resultante de alterações físicas e biomecânicas dessa articulação. Seu índice de incidência é alto, representando uma queixa comum em cerca de 20% da população, e sua etiologia ainda permanece desconhecida.Objetivo: Esta revisão de literatura tem como objetivo comparar a eficácia dos exercícios em cadeia cinética aberta com os em cadeia cinética fechada, para a recuperação funcional dos portadores da disfunção femoropatelar. Metodologia: Foi realizada uma revisão sistemática nas bases de dados LILACS,MEDLINE, SciELO e PubMed como termo de procura das palavras disfunção femoropatelar, cadeia cinética aberta e cadeia cinética fechada. Discussão: O desequilíbrio de forças dos estabilizadores dinâmicos da patela, do vasto medial oblíquo (VMO) e do vasto lateral (VL) ainda é considerado o fator primordial para o surgimento dos sintomas, já que essa alteração causa o aumento das forças de reação e compressão femoropatelar.Com a finalidade de recuperar o equilíbrio da forças dos músculos que atuam como estabilizadores do joelho e como forma de restituir estabilidade à articulação, os exercícios em cadeia cinética aberta (CCA) e em cadeia cinética fechada (CCF) têm sido empregados em programas de reabilitação dos distúrbios femoropatelares. Conclusão: Os benefícios para a aplicação desses protocolos não são bem documentados, faltando evidências científicas para comprovar a real eficácia desses exercícios na melhora do desempenho domúsculo quadríceps femoral ou auxiliar no equilíbrio muscular dos estabilizadores dinâmicos da patela.

INTRODUCTION: The patellofemoral syndrome (DFP) is a disease characterized by pain in the patellofemoral and physical changes resulting from this joint biomechanics. The rate of incidence is high, representing a common complaint in about 20% of the population. Its etiology remains unknown. OBJECTIVE: This literature review aims to compare the effectiveness of open kinetic chain exercises with closed kinetic chain into the functional recovery of patients with the patellofemoral syndrome. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review in the database LILACS, MEDLINE, PubMed and SciELO as search term words patellofemoral syndrome, open kinetic chain and closed kinetic chain. DISCUSSION: The imbalance of forces of the dynamic stabilizers of the patella, vastus medialis oblique (VMO) and vastus lateralis (VL), is still considered the primary factor for the onset of symptoms. Since this change causes an increase in reaction force and patellofemoral compression. In order to recover the balance of forces of the muscles acting as stabilizers of the knee and as a means of restoring stability to the joint, exercises in open kinetic chain (OKC) and closed kinetic chain (CKC) has been used in rehabilitation programs patellofemoral disorders.CONCLUSION: The benefits for implementing these protocols are not well documented, lacking scientific evidence to prove the real effectiveness of these exercises in improving the performance of the quadriceps muscle or assist in muscle balance of the dynamic stabilizers of the patella.

Alongamento muscular segmentar melhora função e alinhamento do joelho de indivíduos com síndrome femoropatelar: estudo preliminar / Segmental muscular stretching improves knee function and alignment in subjects with patellofemoral syndrome: preliminary study

INTRODUÇÃO: A síndrome femoropatelar (SFP) é uma desordem dolorosa comum do joelho e para seu tratamento normalmente são utilizados exercícios de fortalecimento do músculo quadríceps femoral, sendo que poucos trabalhos encontrados na literatura investigaram os efeitos diretos do alongamento muscular. OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos do alongamento muscular segmentar no tratamento de pacientes com SFP. MÉTODOS: Participaram do estudo 12 voluntários com SFP, dominância de membro inferior direito e idade média de 20 anos. As variáveis funcionais avaliadas antes e depois do tratamento foram: ângulo Q, intensidade da dor, capacidade funcional pela escala de contagem de Lysholm, sensação de posição articular (SPA) a 40 e 50 graus de flexão do joelho, trabalho total e momento de força concêntrico dos músculos quadríceps femoral e isquiotibiais a 60 e 180º/s. Após a avaliação inicial, foi realizado o tratamento que consistiu em alongamento muscular segmentar bilateral dos músculos isquiotibiais, tríceps sural e quadríceps femoral, com duração de 30 segundos e 10 repetições para cada músculo. As variáveis avaliadas antes e após o tratamento foram analisadas pelo teste t para amostras dependentes (α < 0,05). RESULTADOS: Todas as variαveis apresentaram diferença significante após o tratamento (p < 0,05), exceto o momento de força e trabalho total dos músculos extensores a 60º/s, trabalho total dos extensores e flexores a 180º/s e a SPA a 50 e 40 graus de flexão do joelho. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados desta pesquisa permitem inferir que o tratamento com alongamento muscular segmentar possibilita melhoras de vários sinais e sintomas apresentados pelos pacientes com SFP, como alinhamento, dor e função do joelho.

INTRODUCTION: Patellofemoral syndrome (PFS) is a common painful knee disorder and for its treatment, quadriceps femoris strengthening exercises are normally used; however, few studies in the literature investigate the direct effects of stretching exercises. OBJECTIVE: In order to fill this gap, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of segmental stretching exercises on the treatment of patients with PFS. METHODS: Twelve PFS patients with right foot dominance and mean age of 20 years were evaluated. The following functional variables were assessed, before and after treatment: Q angle, pain intensity, knee functional injury level (Lysholm scale), joint position sense (JPS) at 40 and 50 degrees of knee flexion and total work and concentric torque of quadriceps femoris and hamstring muscles at 60 and 180 degrees/sec. After initial evaluation, bilateral segmental stretching exercises for hamstring, triceps surae and quadriceps femoris muscles were performed, with 30-second duration and 10 repetitions on each muscle. Data obtained before and after treatment were analyzed by t test for dependent samples (α < 0.05). RESULTS: All variables showed significant difference after treatment (p < 0.05), except extensor muscular torque and total work at 60 degrees/sec, extensor and flexor total work at 180 degrees/sec and JPS at 40 and 50 degrees of knee flexion. CONCLUSION: Based on these results, we can state that segmental stretching exercises treatment improves major PFS signals and symptoms of patients, such as alignment, pain and knee function.

Papel del recto anterior del cuádriceps en el dolor femoropatelar / Role of anterior angle of the quadriceps in patellofemoral pain

Objetivo: Estudio prospectivo y transversal para evaluar la retracción del recto anterior del cuádriceps en pacientes con dolor femoropatelar y la efectividad del tratamiento mediante estiramientos del mismo. Material y método: Estudio de 218 pacientes (318 rodillas) entre los años 2003 y 2007, en el que se incluyeron pacientes diagnosticados de dolor femoropatelar por los servicios de Cirugía Ortopédica y Traumatología (COT) y Rehabilitación (RHB). Se distribuyeron en dos grupos según la presencia o ausencia de anomalías en el estudio radiológico o la tomografía computarizada. Se trató de 50 varones y 168 mujeres, con una edad media de 28 años. Se evaluó la retracción del recto anterior del cuádriceps según el método descrito por Cosgarea y Grelsamer (distancia talón-nalga en decúbito prono igual a 0 en condiciones normales) y el dolor con la escala visual analógica (EVA). Se evaluó la efectividad del tratamiento de 9-12 sesiones de rehabilitación con estiramientos del recto anterior valorando la elongación o no del mismo y el resultado dolor. Resultados: Con un seguimiento medio de 36 meses (12-48) se ha diagnosticado retracción del recto anterior en el 100 % de los casos. Con tratamiento, 96 de 123 pacientes sin alteraciones radiológicas y 36 de 95 con alteraciones consiguieron una distancia talón-nalga igual a 0. El dolor mejoró en el 84 % de los casos del primer grupo y en el 20 % del segundo. Conclusiones: La retracción del recto anterior es un signo constante en pacientes con dolor femoropatelar y las técnicas de elongación del mismo son muy efectivas, en especial en pacientes sin alteraciones radiológicas objetivables (AU)

Objective: A prospective and randomized study was performed to evaluate quadricep tightness in patellofemoral pain and the effectiveness of stretching techniques for it. Material and method: A study of 218 patients (318 knees) was performed between 2003 and 2007 that included patients with diagnosis of patellofemoral pain by the Department of Orthopedics, Traumatology and Rehabilitation departments. The patients were distributed into two groups according to the presence or absence of abnormalities in X-ray or CT scan studies. Fifty men and 168 women with average age of 28 years old were included. We evaluated quadricep tightness as described by Grelsamer and Cosgarea: heel-buttocks distance in lying position equal to 0.We evaluated effectiveness of quadricep stretching during 9-12 sessions. Results: With a mean follow-up of 36 months (range 12-48) we found quadricep tightness in 100 % of the patients. With treatment, 96/123 patients without abnormalities in the X-ray or CT scan and in 36/95 with abnormalities achieved a heel-buttocks distance equal to 0. Pain improved in 84 % of those in the first group and in 20 % in the second group. Conclusions: Quadricep tightness is a constant sign in patients with patellofemoral pain and stretching techniques are highly effective for it, especially in patients with no observable radiological abnormalities (AU)