HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS REGISTER		Author Keyword(s) Vol Page [Advanced]

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) All Versions of this Article: bjsm.2008.046623v1 bjsm.2008.046623v2 42/10/489    most recent Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this link to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Add article to my folders Download to citation manager Request Permissions Google Scholar Articles by Fagan, V Articles by Delahunt, E PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Fagan, V Articles by Delahunt, E Topic Collections Physiotherapy Physiotherapy Patellofemoral pain

Patellofemoral pain syndrome: a review on the associated neuromuscular deficits and current treatment options

School of Physiotherapy and Performance Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Republic of Ireland

Correspondence to:
Dr E Delahunt, School of Physiotherapy and Performance Science, University College Dublin, Health Sciences Centre, Belfield, Dublin 4, Republic of Ireland; eamonn.delahunt{at}ucd.ie

Background: Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a common clinical presentation. Various neuromuscular factors have been reported to contribute to its aetiology.

Study design: Systematic review

Methods: A literature search was carried out from 1998 up to December 2007. Eligible studies were those that: (1) examined the effects of hip strengthening in subjects with PFPS; (2) examined the effects of physiotherapy treatment aimed at restoring muscle balance between the vastus medialis oblique (VMO) and vastus lateralis (VL) in subjects with PFPS; (3) examined the effect of taping on electromyogram (EMG) muscle amplitude in subjects with PFPS; and (4) compared the effects of open versus closed kinetic chain exercises in the treatment of subjects with PFPS.

Results and conclusion: No randomised controlled trials exist to support the use of hip joint strengthening in subjects with PFPS. Physiotherapy treatment programmes appear to be an efficacious method of improving quadriceps muscle imbalances. Further studies are required to determine the true efficacy of therapeutic patellar taping. Both open and closed kinetic chain exercises are appropriate forms of treatment for subjects with PFPS.