Influence of Selected Lower Limb Biomechanical Variables on Pain, Disability and Balance in Women With PFPS.
Condition: Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome; Patellofemoral Malalignment Syndrome
MeSH terms: Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome; Syndrome
Study type: Observational

Summary: 
      Purpose: The aim of this study is to figure out how does the selection of lower-extremity
      biomechanical variables presented by dynamic knee valgus, tibial torsion and navicular drop
      may influence pain, disability, and balance in women with patellofemoral pain syndrome.

      Methods: Sixty-five women with patellofemoral pain syndrome will be evaluated for lower limb
      biomechanical variables.
    

Detailed description: 
      Subjects:

      Sixty five women who will be referred by an Orthopedist with patellofemoral pain syndrome
      diagnosis.

      Inclusion criteria:

      Women were enrolled in this study according to the following criteria:

        1. Female participants with patellofemoral pain syndrome.

        2. Age ranges between 18 and 38 years old.

        3. Bilateral or unilateral involvement.

        4. Minimum score (3 out of 10-point) numerical pain scale (NPR) .

        5. Orthopedic clinical confirmation revealing a history of anterior or retro-patellar knee
           pain aggravated by at least 2 of the following functional activities: 1. prolonged
           sitting, 2. stairs use, 3. squatting, 4. running, 5. kneeling, 6. hopping/jumping,
           and/or insidious onset of symptoms unrelated to any traumatic incident and persistent
           for at least 6 weeks.

      Exclusion criteria:

      A woman was excluded from the study if she has one or more of the following:

        1. History of patellar dislocation or subluxation.

        2. Osteoarthritis in the patellofemoral joint.

        3. Meniscal or other intraarticular pathologic conditions.

        4. cruciate or collateral ligament involvement.

        5. Lower limb surgery.

        6. Fracture, low back pain condition such as: spondylolisthesis and spondylosis.

        7. Neurological deficits.

        8. Traumatic injury or any abnormality in the lower extremity.

      Methods: Sixty-five women with patellofemoral pain syndrome will be evaluated for dynamic
      knee valgus using Kinovea software program , tibial torsion using universal goniometer, and
      navicular drop using calliper.

      Numerical pain rating scale (NPRS) will be used to measure pain severity. Arabic version of
      Kujala score will assess the functional disability in these patients.

      Biodex Balance System will screen and will record the Medial-lateral stability index (MLSI),
      Anterior-posterior stability index (APSI) and an Overall stability index (OSI).

      Assessments will be performed in a single session. Then correlation between these variables
      will be calculated.
    

Observational model: Case-Only
Time perspective: Cross-Sectional
Sampling method: Non-Probability Sample
Study population: 
        Sixty-five women with patellofemoral pain syndrome, were included in this study.
        Individuals were selected from the outpatient clinics present in Cairo University and from
        private clinics in Cairo and Giza.

        The age of selected women was ranging between 18 and 38 years old. They were able to follow
        instructions and understand the given commands