Effectiveness of therapeutic physical exercise in the treatment of patellofemoral pain syndrome: a systematic review

Abstract

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to analyze the effectiveness of conservative treatment of patellofemoral pain syndrome with physical exercise. [Subjects and Methods] A computer-based review conducted of four databases (PubMed, the Cochrane Library, PEDro, and the University Library) was completed based on the inclusion criteria of patellofemoral pain syndrome patients treated with physical exercise methods and examination with self-reported pain and/or functional questionnaires. [Results] The findings of ten clinical trials of moderate to high quality were evaluated to determine the effectiveness of physical exercise as conservative management for patellofemoral pain syndrome. [Conclusion] The intervention programs that were most effective in relieving pain and improving function in patellofemoral pain syndrome included proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching and strengthening exercises for the hip external rotator and abductor muscles and knee extensor muscles.

Effectiveness of Manual Therapy Combined With Physical Therapy in Treatment of Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome: Systematic Review

“…35 Some of the studies of our review have added exercises for the external rotators and abductor muscles 23,24 and gluteal muscles 22 to their PFPS treatment protocols. In a recent systematic review conducted by Alba-Martín et al, 36 the biomechanical influences of these muscles on femur alignment was described. A lack of motor control from the hip external rotators and abductor muscles would increase femur rotation under the patella while standing.…”

Evaluation and management of knee pain in young athletes: overuse injuries of the knee

“…This is a benign, self-limited condition with gradual resolution over a period of few weeks; rarely in some athletes, it may take up to 2 years for complete resolution of symptoms (14,15).…”

“…Rehabilitation exercises focus on increasing the flexibility, strength, endurance, and neuromuscular retraining of the quadriceps, hamstrings, gastrocnemius, and soleus muscles (14,15). Closed kinetic chain exercises are found to be most effective (14).…”

“…Closed kinetic chain exercises are found to be most effective (14). Knee immobilization is not recommended, except in rare instances when pain is severe affecting daily activities.…”

Validación de la escala de Kujala para dolor patelofemoral en su versión en español

“…Su incidencia es de 22 por cada 1 000 personas/año y afecta más a las mujeres que a los hombres, en una relación de 2 a 1 (6-10). Su origen es multifactorial con intervención de factores como la alineación inadecuada de la extremidad, la debilidad del cuádriceps, la debilidad de los abductores de cadera, el imbalance muscular, el sobreuso, el tipo de práctica deportiva y la falta de estiramiento muscular, entre otros (11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17).…”