The Effectiveness of Exercise in Treating Patellofemoral-Pain Syndrome

Abstract

Objective:To determine the effect of exercise on patients with patellofemoral-pain syndrome (PFPS).Patients:29 subjects with unilateral PFPS, assigned to control, home-exercise (HE), or physical therapy (PT) group.Intervention:8-wk exercise program.Main Outcome Measures:A knee survey, visual analog scale (VAS), and 5 weight-bearing tests.Results:MANOVA indicated an overall statistical difference between groups (P< .05). The HE and PT groups experienced less pain than control, and PT experienced less pain than HE (P< .05). In overall knee function and most weight-bearing tests, HE and PT were stronger and more functional than control (P< .05). For anteromedial lunge only PT was stronger and more functional than control (P< .05).Conclusions:Intervention helps PFPS, but there appear to be no differences between home and in-clinic interventions.