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- Issue 27
- Patellofemoral pain: One year results of…
Patellofemoral pain: One year results of a randomized trial comparing hip exercise, knee exercise, or free activity.
Key Points
- Education on injury/pain and pain management is an important part of any rehabilitation plan for patellofemoral pain (PFP).
BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE
Patellofemoral pain (PFP) is a common ailment in the lower limb that has an estimated prevalence of 29% in adolescents and 23% in the general population, with women being affected twice as much as men. Exercise is the predominant treatment for PFP, with a focus on both hip and knee exercises. Previous studies have reported some superiority of hip focused exercise (1), although currently the best type and dosage of exercise has not yet been determined. Patient education has previously been studied with regards to PFP, but not education that addresses factors such as kinesiophobia and catastrophising which are both factors that can be implicated in PFP.
This paper aimed to assess the long-term effectiveness of hip exercise, knee exercise or free physical activity for PFP. This paper also wanted to use a longer term follow-up period, as chronicity of PFP is likely higher than previously thought.
This study suggests that a specific exercise program does not seem to be required for patellofemoral pain.
METHODS
Participants were between 16 and 40 years of age with a minimum of 3 months of PFP. They had a minimum of 3/10 pain on a 10-point VAS, and pain on stairs, hopping, running and clinical tests. Presence of any