Efficacy of Adding Patellar Mobilization to Hip and Knee Exercises in Patients With Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

Efficacy of Adding Patellar Mobilization to Hip and Knee Exercises in Patients With Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

Patellofemoral pain syndrome is a common source of anterior knee pain. The causes of PFPS may be multifactorial such as biomechanical disorders, muscle weakness which affect the dynamic stability of lower limb and alter patellar tracking in trochlear groove. Moreover, the syndrome associated with muscular tightness of iliotibial band, gastrocnemius, soleus, hamstring and quadriceps. Strengthening and stretching exercises are effective in improving patient's symptoms. However, they do not sufficient in correction of kinematic changes associated with PFPS. Patellar mobilization is effective in improving patient'symptoms in cases with PFPS. However, studies that conducted patellar mobilization were either low quality studies or no study combined patellar mobilization with hip and knee exercises.

Therefore, APTA guidelines recommended for conducting high quality study to investigate the effect of adding patellar mobilization to exercise therapy to support the definite recommendation delivered to therapists.

this is interventional study in which patients will receive stretching and strengthening exercises in control group. in addition, experimental group will receive the same exercises of control group in addition to patellar mobilization, retinacula release and deep friction message.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age ranging between 18 and 35 years
2. Tenderness of medial and lateral borders of patella
3. Retropatellar pain
4. Duration of symptoms of patellofemoral pain syndrome is greater than 4 weeks
5. Positive patellar compression test
6. Pain intensity is more than 3 at visual analogue scale
7. Had a history of insidious onset
8. Had anterior knee pain during 2 or more of provocative activities that include stair ascent or descent, kneeling, prolonged sitting, or squatting

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Previous patellar realignment surgery or patellar fracture
2. Had a history of traumatic patellar dislocation
3. Had a history of previous knee surgery
4. Had any form of inflammatory arthritis that include osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis
5. Had a history of knee menisci, ligaments, bursae, or synovial plica syndrome dysfunction
6. Taking corticosteroids or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication
7. Inability to attend treatment program to the end of sessions