HOME HELP CONTACT US SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:
Sign In to gain access to subscriptions and/or personal tools.

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Arroll, B. Articles by Sutcliffe, G. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Arroll, B. Articles by Sutcliffe, G.

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

A Critical Review of the Clinical Trials on Nonoperative Therapy

Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners Research Unit, Department of General Practice, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand

Elaine Ellis-Pegler, RN

Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners Research Unit, Department of General Practice, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand

A. Edwards, MBChB, FACSP

Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners Research Unit, Department of General Practice, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand

Grant Sutcliffe, BSC

Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners Research Unit, Department of General Practice, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand

Many therapies have been advocated for treating patellofemoral pain, which suggests little consensus on optimal treatment. We reviewed the high-quality evi dence for successful treatment of patellofemoral syn drome based on successful outcome information. To achieve this goal, we undertook a systematic search and critical appraisal of the literature on patellofemoral pain syndrome. Our definition of patellofemoral pain syndrome was broad and included patients with carti lage damage. We found five randomized controlled trials and some follow-up studies. The prognoses for most new cases of patellofemoral pain syndrome are good, although a proportion of patients with this syn drome will have persistent symptoms. Quadriceps muscle exercises were effective in treating this condi tion, and knee braces were not. Both prostheses and intramuscular glycosaminoglycan polysulfate had en couraging results for patients; however, these results need confirmation. There were many studies of biome chanics, which indicates that there is an assumption that an alteration of abnormal biomechanics would result in clinical benefit. Studies are needed that place more emphasis on the therapeutic benefit. There is limited evidence on which to base therapy, and there needs to be more high-quality research. Studies need to be longer, account for factors that predispose the patients, and have a more standardized means of assessing outcomes.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				N. Collins, K. Crossley, E. Beller, R. Darnell, T. McPoil, and B. Vicenzino Foot orthoses and physiotherapy in the treatment of patellofemoral pain syndrome: randomised clinical trial BMJ, October 24, 2008; 337(oct24_1): a1735 - a1735. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. J. Ramappa, M. Apreleva, F. R. Harrold, P. G. Fitzgibbons, D. R. Wilson, and T. J. Gill The Effects of Medialization and Anteromedialization of the Tibial Tubercle on Patellofemoral Mechanics and Kinematics Am. J. Sports Med., May 1, 2006; 34(5): 749 - 756. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J E Naslund, S Odenbring, U-B Naslund, and T Lundeberg Diffusely increased bone scintigraphic uptake in patellofemoral pain syndrome Br. J. Sports Med., March 1, 2005; 39(3): 162 - 165. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. Janwantanakul and C. Gaogasigam Vastus lateralis vastus medialis obliquus muscle activity during the application of inhibition and facilitation taping techniques Clinical Rehabilitation, January 1, 2005; 19(1): 12 - 19. [Abstract] [PDF]

				E. Witvrouw, L. Danneels, D. Van Tiggelen, T. M. Willems, and D. Cambier Open Versus Closed Kinetic Chain Exercises in Patellofemoral Pain: A 5-Year Prospective Randomized Study Am. J. Sports Med., July 1, 2004; 32(5): 1122 - 1130. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				Y Yildiz, T Aydin, U Sekir, C Cetin, F Ors, and T Alp Kalyon Relation between isokinetic muscle strength and functional capacity in recreational athletes with chondromalacia patellae Br. J. Sports Med., December 1, 2003; 37(6): 475 - 479. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J A Laprade and E G Culham A self-administered pain severity scale for patellofemoral pain syndrome Clinical Rehabilitation, July 1, 2002; 16(7): 780 - 788. [Abstract] [PDF]

				Philadelphia Panel Members, Clinical Specialty Experts, J. Albright, R. Allman, R. P. Bonfiglio, A. Conill, B. Dobkin, A. A Guccione, S. Hasson, R. Russo, et al. Philadelphia Panel Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines on Selected Rehabilitation Interventions for Knee Pain Physical Therapy, October 1, 2001; 81(10): 1675 - 1700. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. J. Martin and Committee on Sports Medicine and Fitness Technical Report: Knee Brace Use in the Young Athlete Pediatrics, August 1, 2001; 108(2): 503 - 507. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				Z. A. Cohen, H. Roglic, R. P. Grelsamer, J. H. Henry, W. N. Levine, V. C. Mow, and G. A. Ateshian Patellofemoral Stresses during Open and Closed Kinetic Chain Exercises: An Analysis Using Computer Simulation Am. J. Sports Med., July 1, 2001; 29(4): 480 - 487. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D I Clark, N Downing, J Mitchell, L Coulson, E P Syzpryt, and M Doherty Physiotherapy for anterior knee pain: a randomised controlled trial Ann Rheum Dis, September 1, 2000; 59(9): 700 - 704. [Abstract] [Full Text]