| dc.description.abstract | Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is one of the most common musculoskeletal
disorders affecting adults. Patellar taping provides an effective treatment in
alleviating the symptoms of a high proportion of subjects who present with PFPS.
However, the mechanisms of pain reduction have not been established. The aim of
this work was to evaluate the effects of patellar taping on the biomechanics of the
patellofemoral joint and level of pain in PFPS subjects, during the eccentric phase of
single leg squatting at 30° of knee flexion. These were determined with a combined
kinetic and kinematic approach using data from video analysis, force plate and EMG.
A series of pilot tests was performed, involving a group of asymptomatic volunteers
performing a number of knee flexion procedures. These tests demonstrated a high
reliability in both the estimated patellofemoral joint reaction force (PFJRF) and
relative amplitude of vasti, but less impressive reliability for the parameters
associated with muscle onset. The main case-controlled study involved 18 PFPS
subjects, recruited from a local Physiotherapy Department, and a similar number of
healthy controls. The test procedure was performed on the knees of both subject
groups and, where appropriate, during and after patellar taping. The results revealed
that the mean value of PFJRF, which was 2025 N prior to taping, had decreased
significantly to 1720 N (p< 0.05) following a period of taping and exercises which
lasted between 2-5 weeks. Equivalent changes were also recorded with the pain
levels, although the ratio of the amplitude of the vasti did not change during this
period. The only significant differences between the two subject groups were with
the relative timing of muscle onset, for which VMO preceded VL in the healthy
controls. The reduction of biomechanical characteristics following the application of
patellar tape and exercises in PFPS subjects, may explain the mechanism of pain
reduction during the early phase of single leg squatting. | en_US |
