Meta‐analyses showed no significant changes in strength for any of the interventions . •
BACKGROUND : The addition of hip strengthening to knee strengthening for persons with patellofemoral pain has the potential to optimize treatment effects .
OBJECTIVE : To examine the efficacy of hip strengthening , associated or not with knee strengthening , to increase strength , reduce pain , and improve activity in individuals with patellofemoral pain .
Hip strengthening prior to functional exercises reduces pain sooner than quadriceps strengthening in females with patellofemoral pain syndrome: a randomized clinical trial.
STUDY DESIGN R and omized clinical trial . OBJECTIVES To determine if females with patellofemoral pain syndrome ( PFPS ) who perform hip strengthening prior to functional exercises demonstrate greater improvements than females who perform quadriceps strengthening prior to the same functional exercises . BACKGROUND Although PFPS has previously been attributed to quadriceps dysfunction , more recent research has linked this condition to impairment of the hip musculature . Lower extremity strengthening has been deemed an effective intervention . However , research has often examined weight-bearing exercises , making it unclear if increased strength in the hip , quadriceps , or both is beneficial . METHODS Thirty-three females with PFPS performed either initial hip strengthening ( hip group ) or initial quadriceps strengthening ( quad group ) for 4 weeks , prior to 4 weeks of a similar program of functional weight-bearing exercises . Self-reported pain , function , and functional strength were measured . Isometric strength was assessed for hip abductors , external rotators , and knee extensors . A mixed-model analysis of variance was used to determine group differences over time . RESULTS After 4 weeks , there was less mean ± SD pain in the hip group ( 2.4 ± 2.0 ) than in the quad group ( 4.1 ± 2.5 ) ( P = .035 ) . From baseline to 8 weeks , the hip group demonstrated a 21 % increase ( P<.001 ) in hip abductor strength , while that remained unchanged in the quad group . All participants demonstrated improved subjective function ( P<.006 ) , objective function ( P<.001 ) , and hip external rotator strength ( P = .004 ) from baseline to testing at 8 weeks . CONCLUSION Both rehabilitation approaches improved function and reduced pain . For patients with PFPS , initial hip strengthening may allow an earlier dissipation of pain than exercises focused on the quadriceps
Meta‐analyses showed no significant changes in strength for any of the interventions . •
BACKGROUND : The addition of hip strengthening to knee strengthening for persons with patellofemoral pain has the potential to optimize treatment effects .
OBJECTIVE : To examine the efficacy of hip strengthening , associated or not with knee strengthening , to increase strength , reduce pain , and improve activity in individuals with patellofemoral pain .