Contribution of components of the quadriceps femoris muscle for producing external torque in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome

Abstract Purpose The aim of this study was to compare the correlation between preoperative quadriceps femoris muscle thickness and postoperative neuromuscular activation and quadriceps femoris strength in patients with and without patellofemoral pain after arthroscopic partial meniscectomy. Methods A series of 120 patients were prospectively analysed in a longitudinal cohort study of patients scheduled for arthroscopic partial meniscectomy. The patellofemoral pain group included patients who developed anterior knee pain after surgery while the control group included those who had not done so. Patients with preoperative patellofemoral pain, previous knee surgeries as well as those on whom additional surgical procedures had been performed were excluded. Of the 120 initially included in the study, 90 patients were analysed after the exclusions. Results There is a direct correlation between preoperative quadriceps femoris muscle thickness and the neuromuscular activity values and the strength of the muscle at 6 weeks after surgery. These results were seen exclusively in the group of patients who do not develop patellofemoral pain (0.543, p = 0.008). The group of patients who developed anterior knee pain in the postoperative period did not show this correlation (n.s.). Conclusion In patients without patellofemoral pain after meniscectomy, the greater the preoperative thickness of the quadriceps femoris, the more postoperative neuromuscular activation and strength they had. This correlation did not occur in those patients who develop patellofemoral pain after meniscal surgery. Level of evidence II.

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INFLUENCE OF THE COMPLEX CORRECTION TECHNIQUE TO STRENGTH OF THE QUADRICEPS FEMORIS MUSCLE OF PATIENTS WITH PATELLOFEMORAL PAIN SYNDROME

Russian Journal of Physiotherapy Balneology and Rehabilitation ◽

10.18821/1681-3456-2018-17-2-72-75 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 17 (2) ◽

pp. 72-75

Author(s):

Elena Sergeevna Prokhorova ◽

V. V Ar’kov ◽

M. R Makarova

Keyword(s):

Knee Joint ◽

Lower Limb ◽

Pain Syndrome ◽

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome ◽

Patellofemoral Pain ◽

Quadriceps Femoris ◽

Main Group ◽

Lumbosacral Spine ◽

Outpatient Basis ◽

Correction Technique

In 40 patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome, before and after the course of treatment, the strength indices of the hip muscles were studied by isokinetic dynamometry, as well as the severity of the pain syndrome in the knee joint and the lumbosacral spine according to the visual analogue scale. The patients of the main group (n = 20) used the technique of complex correction of the pelvic region and lower limb, which was mainly aimed at stabilizing the lumbosacral spine. Patients of the control group (n = 20) performed therapeutic gymnastics aimed at training the muscles of only the interested lower limb. The treatment was performed on an outpatient basis daily for 21 days. After the course of treatment in patients of the main group, the strengths of the quadriceps femoris were significantly higher (p < 0.05), and the degree of pain in the knee joint and lumbar spine was significantly lower (p < 0.05). The obtained data confirm the necessity and expediency of including exercises for stabilization of the lumbosacral spine in the rehabilitation program for patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome.

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