PREDICTION OF MECHANICAL PATELLOFEMORAL DYSFUNCTION AS A RESULT OF MUSCLE ENDURANCE INSUFFICIENCY IN PATIENTS SUFFERING FROM ANTERIOR KNEE PAIN

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to find if there is relationship between muscle endurance insufficiency and maltracking of the patella in sedentary individuals. Also, if disturbance of normal hamstring-quadriceps ratios affects patellar tracking. It was done by investigating the endurance of both hamstring and quadriceps muscles and the ratios between them in subjects complaining of anterior knee pain after strenuous activities and to compare these results with subjects whom had no history of knee pain or injury.

The participants in the study were forty volunteers subject (23 females and 17 males) with a previous history of unilateral anterior knee pain and ranged in age from 22 to 47 years with the mean of 34.28 ±6,62. Another forty healthy volunteers (22 females and 18 males) who ranged in age from 23 to 48 years with the mean of 35.28 ±6.93. Subjects of both groups were sedentary or participated in a low level of physical activity. Both groups were not athletes and did not have prior experience on the isokinetic apparatus.

Patients were examined manually for affected knee, while the knees of dominant leg were examined for control group. All were to be free from crepitus, popping, snap, or catching. Patellar tests were undertaken for patients group as grinding, inhibition, gliding, titling test. Some tests were negative and other were positive.