Influence of Selected Lower Limb Biomechanical Variables on Pain, Disability and Balance in Women With PFPS.

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.

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.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Female participants with patellofemoral pain syndrome.
* Age ranges between 18 and 38 years old.
* Bilateral or unilateral involvement.
* Minimum score (3 out of 10-point) numerical pain scale (NPR)
* 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:

* History of patellar dislocation or subluxation.
* Osteoarthritis in the patellofemoral joint.
* Meniscal or other intraarticular pathologic conditions.
* Cruciate or collateral ligament involvement.
* Lower limb surgery.
* Fracture, low back pain condition such as: spondylolisthesis and spondylosis.
* Neurological deficits.
* Traumatic injury or any abnormality in the lower extremity