Recent Trends in Treatment of Non-traumatic Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome in Adults

Abstract

atellofemoral pain represents a common and debilitating disease process that is often encountered in primary care and orthopedic outpatient clinics. The pathophysiology of patellofemoral pain is often multifactorial. Malalignment of the lower extremity and an increased Q-angle often contribute to the cause of anterior knee pain. Also, a muscular imbalance can lead to decreased stability of the patellofemoral joint with normal weight-bearing activities. A decrease in the strength of the VMO most commonly causes an asymmetry of biomechanical forces acting on the knee, and this muscular imbalance has been implicated in the pathophysiology of patellofemoral pain. Finally, overactivity has been demonstrated as a factor in the development of patellofemoral pain. As this disease process often affects a younger, more active patient population, activity level has been linked to its cause and progression. Although several operative procedures have been successfully used in patients with patellofemoral pain, nonoperative management remains the most commonly used initial treatment course. Supervised physical therapy is the cornerstone of nonoperative management. Most of the current literature supports the use of closed chain, weight-bearing exercises for a successful physical therapy program. However, the use of patellar taping, bracing, and neuromuscular electrical