Lumbar Thrust-mobilization Effects on Hip Strength and Anterior Knee Pain

Lumbar Thrust-mobilization Effects on Hip Strength and Anterior Knee Pain, a Double Blind Randomized Control Trial

The purpose of this study is to investigate changes in lateral hip muscle strength as well as self-reported pain during the performance of three functional tests in patients with anterior knee pain following a lumbopelvic thrust-mobilization.

Hypothesis(es):

Lumbar thrust-mobilization will lead to increased lateral hip strength and decreased anterior knee pain during 3 functional activities (single leg step down, functional squat, drop jump).

The participant will complete a medical history form and undergo a brief physical exam of the lumbar spine and knees to include: lumbar range of motion and mobility testing, knee range of motion, palpation, and knee mobility testing. The participant will complete a hip strength test utilizing the Biodex System 4 Pro®. The participant will then perform three activities (single leg step down, squat, and drop jump from a 2 foot platform) and provide a self-reported knee pain measure with each activity. A sealed envelope indicating the intervention to be received will be given to the participant. An investigator blinded to the pre and post-measures will open the envelope indicating the intervention to be performed. The participant will be blinded to which intervention group they are categorized to. Th e participant will be positioned on a high-low treatment table to receive the assigned intervention. The participant will be positioned to receive either intervention 1 (thrust mobilization) or 2 (sham mobilization). The participant will either receive the thrust-mobilization or sham mobilization up to 2 times on the left and right side. An immediate re-test of hip strength will be conducted followed by performing the same three functional activities (single leg step down, squat, and drop jump from a 2 foot platform) while providing a self-reported pain measure after each activity. Follow-up measures at 15 minutes post-intervention and the final measure at 30 minutes post-intervention will be performed.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Healthy males and females between the ages of 18 and 25 with non-traumatic anterior knee pain
• Able read and write in English
• Clearly understand the informed consent form

Exclusion Criteria:

• Low back pain
• Pregnant or may be pregnant
• Previously diagnosed with spondylolisthesis,
• Previously diagnosed with a herniated disc,
• Signs and symptoms of nerve root compression
• History of spine surgery
• History of knee surgery
• History of cancer
• History of compression fracture
• History of osteoporosis
• History of osteopenia
• History of a systemic disease
• History of a connective tissue disease
• History of a neurological disease
• Pain with pre-manipulative hold
• Positive findings on medical history form, or physical exam
• Presence of anxiety during the procedure