Περίληψη:
Objectives: Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a common musculoskeletal dysfunction presenting with pain at the anterior aspect of the knee joint. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether implementation of mobilization-with-movement (MWM) prior to hip or knee exercises can achieve early pain and functional ability improvements in patients with PFPS. Methods: Fifteen males and 25 females, 18-40 years of age with PFPS, were randomly assigned into three treatment groups. Patients in Groups A and B received MWMs for 1 week and performed either hip or knee exercises, respectively, for five more weeks. Physiotherapeutic modalities were implemented for 6 weeks in patients of Group C, who served as control. Pain and function was measured pre-intervention, post-MWM application, and post-intervention, using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS). Results: The study revealed significantly improved post-MWM VAS and LEFS scores compared to pre- intervention scores for both Groups A and B (P < 0.001). Patients in Groups A and B demonstrated significantly improved post-MWM and post-intervention VAS and LEFS scores compared to Group C (P <0.001). Post-intervention VAS and LEFS scores, however, between Groups A and B were not statistically significant. Discussion: Our findings suggest that MWMs improve pain and function in PFPS patients within 1 week of application. Further improvements may be achieved by implementing either hip or knee exercises. © W. S. Maney & Son Ltd and the British Institute of Musculoskeletal Medicine 2015.
Συγγραφείς:
Zemadanis, K.
Sykaras, E.
Athanasopoulos, S.
Mandalidis, D.
