The Efficacy of Myofascial Chain Release Techniques in Patients With Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of myofascial release techniques applied on the superficial anterior myofascial chain of the body on pain, functional status, posture, biomechanical and viscoelastic properties of myofascial tissues in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome.

There will be two groups in this study. Each group will consist of 30 patients aged 25-50 years with patellofemoral pain syndrome. A total of 60 participants will take part in the study. Conventional physiotherapy will be applied to the control group, while myofascial release techniques will be applied to the experimental group in addition to conventional physiotherapy. Treatment programs will be applied to both groups 2 days a week for 6 weeks. Postural problems that can be seen in the superficial anterior myofascial chain line will be evaluated. These problems: forward head, q-angle, genu varum, genu valgum, foot postural problems and pelvic tilt. In addition to all these assessments, knee pain, lower extremity functionality and biomechanical properties of the anterior myofascial tissue will be evaluated.

Many factors such as lower extremity malalignment, quadriceps muscle weakness, hamstring, gastrocnemius, tensor fascia latae muscle shortness, iliotibial band tension, lower extremity malalignment have been shown to be effective in the development of Patellofemoral pain syndrome. But it has been reported in recent studies that myofascial problems can be related with patellofemoral pain syndrom. It is stated that the fascial chain containing the Patellofemoral pain syndrome-related regions is the Superficial Anterior Chain, and this chain starts from the toe extensors and ends at the masteoid process. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of myofascial release techniques applied on the superficial anterior myofascial chain of the body on pain, functional status, posture, biomechanical and viscoelastic properties of myofascial tissues in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome.

There will be two groups in this study. Each group will consist of 30 patients aged 25-50 years with patellofemoral pain syndrome. A total of 60 participants will take part in the study. Conventional physiotherapy will be applied to the control group, while myofascial release techniques will be applied to the experimental group in addition to conventional physiotherapy. Treatment programs will be applied to both groups 2 days a week for 6 weeks. Postural problems that can be seen in the superficial anterior myofascial chain line will be evaluated. These problems: forward head, q-angle, genu varum, genu valgum, foot postural problems and pelvic tilt. In addition to all these assessments, knee pain, lower extremity functionality and biomechanical properties of the anterior myofascial tissue will be evaluated.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Diagnosed with Patellofemoral pain syndrome,
* Volunteers between the ages of 25-50,
* Having pain in the retropatellar region for at least 6 months that is not a result of trauma,
* Not having received medical treatment and/or physiotherapy for PFPS in the last 6 months.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Having history of lower extremity, pelvis and spine surgery/fracture in the last 6 months,
* Having orthopedic (Anterior cruciate ligament rupture, Meniscal tears, etc), neurological (Multiple sclerosis, paralysis-paralysis, etc.) and/or rheumatological (rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondolitis, etc.) problems,
* Pregnancy ,
* Having a history of connective tissue disease,
* Using sedatives and/or muscle relaxants that may alter muscle tone.