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Critical Reviews™ in Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine

ISSN for PRINT: 0896-2960

Institutional price:	$684.00
Issues per year:	4

2001, Volume13

174 pages

Issue price - $326.00

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome: The Ongoing Challenges in Etiology, Diagnosis, and Management

Elizabeth Harrison, Ph.D., M.Sc., B.P.T.
School of Physical Therapy, University of Saskatchewan, 1121 College Avenue, Saskatoon, SK, S7N OW3, Canada

David Magee, Ph.D., M.Sc., B.P.T.
Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada

ABSTRACT

The etiology, assessment, and nonsurgical management of patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) have been extensively reported in the literature. The etiology of PFPS is multifaceted; it is present most commonly in adolescents and young adults. Its incidence varies from 10–40%, with higher rates reported in athletic populations. Evidence does support that in active individuals, patellar mobility, quadriceps muscle activation, and quadriceps muscle tightness are common PFPS precursors. Less clear is the relationship between various lower limb biomechanical and neuromuscular factors and PFPS. Recent work has shown that clinical evaluation of patellar orientation has limited reliability. In addition, patellar movement during early knee flexion has also been found to vary significantly when investigated through reliable imaging techniques. Classification systems have been developed that show promise in refining the diagnosis of PFPS; however, these systems need validation. Quadriceps strengthening through home programming continues to show positive results, and patellar taping seems to have merit for some but not all patients; not one outcome tool was found to be the best indicator of good function for PFPS clients. The directions for future research into PFPS are based on a review of articles published between 1995 and 2000.