Treatment for Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome Using Footwear

Treatment for Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome Using Knee Abduction Moment-Reducing Footwear

Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is the most common running injury and is believed to be associated with higher than normal knee joint loading. Footwear has been developed that may decrease these knee loads in healthy subjects, but their effects on patients with PFPS are unknown. In this study, we aim to test the effects of such footwear on patients with PFPS. We hypothesize that patients who receive the footwear intervention will show a decrease in knee joint loading, and consequently will show improvements in subjective levels of perceived knee pain over a period of six weeks compared to a control condition.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male or Female between 18 and 45 years of age.
• Have been diagnosed with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) by a physician.
• Have nontraumatic unilateral and/or bilateral peripatellar or retropatellar knee pain.
• Patellofemoral knee pain with and/or after activity.
• Inactivity patellofemoral pain and/or stiffness, especially with sitting with knees held in flexed posture.
• Peripatellar tenderness ± mild inferior patellar pole tenderness.
• Run at least 15km per week.
• Are heel-toe runners (as opposed to forefoot strikers).

Exclusion Criteria:

• Are currently, or have previously, participated in any other forms of treatment for their knee pain.
• Significant articular or periarticular effusion or bursitis.
• Significant joint line tenderness.
• Intra-articular ligamentous instability.
• Patellar apprehension.
• Have undergone any form of knee surgery or arthroscopy.
• Have any other neuromuscular, musculoskeletal or cardiovascular conditions