Clinical Subgroups in Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

Clinical Subgroups Identification in Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome Patients

Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a multifactorial pathology characterized by diffuse retropatellar and peripatellar pain in the knee joint, exacerbated by overloading activities on the patellofemoral joint. However, this disease showed high degree of patients not responsive to therapeutic strategies. This condition occurred because several factors is related to disease such as: (1) proximal factors (involving trunk and hip), (2) local factors (surrounding and or within the patellofemoral joint) and (3) distal factors (involving ankle and foot). Thus, the identification of clinical subgroups based in anatomic changes (proximal, local and distal factors) is a recent strategy that could help in the therapeutic strategies focused on the etiology of the disease, improve responsiveness to treatment, clinical and functional benefits.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Peripatellar or retropatellar pain in at least two of the following situations: squatting, running, kneeling, jumping, climbing or descending stairs and sitting for a prolonged period of time for at least three months.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Engaged in systematic exercise with focus on lower limb in the last six months and Had an injury to the hip and ankle joint in the last 12 months.