Relationship between frontal plane projection angle of the knee and hip and trunk strength in women with and without patellofemoral pain

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Almeida, Gabriel Peixoto Leão^{a; b; *} | Silva, Ana Paula de Moura Campos Carvalho e^a | França, Fábio Jorge Renovato^a | Magalhães, Maurício Oliveira^a | Burke, Thomaz Nogueira^a | Marques, Amélia Pasqual^a

Affiliations: [a] Physical Therapy, Speech and Occupational Therapy Department, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil | [b] Physical Therapy Department, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, Brazil

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Gabriel Peixoto Leão Almeida, Alexandre Baraúna Street, 949 - Rodolfo Teófilo, Fortaleza, Ceará 60430-160, Brazil. Tel.: +55 85 9959 0400; Fax: +55 85 3366 8004; E-mail:[email protected]

Abstract: BACKGROUND: It is theorized that increased dynamic knee valgus relates to decreased hip posterolateral muscle strength. OBJECTIVE: The aim here was to assess the relationship between the frontal plane projection angle (FPPA) of the knee and hip and trunk muscle strength in women with and without patellofemoral pain (PFP). METHODS: The sample comprised 43 women: Patellofemoral Pain Group (PPG, n = 22) and Control Group (CG, n = 21). Muscle strength for hip abduction, extension, external rotation and lateral core were measured using a handheld dynamometer. The FPPA was recorded during step-down. RESULTS: The PPG showed a deficit for hip muscles torque and increased FPPA (P < 0.05). Negative correlation of the FPPA-Peak was found in the CG for the hip abductor (r = -0.31) and posterolateral complex (r = -0.32) (P < 0.05). In the PPG, the FPPA-Peak showed a moderate negative correlation to the torque of external rotators and posterolateral hip muscles, although this correlation did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that women with patellofemoral pain present greater dynamic knee valgus and hip muscle weakness. Abductor and posterolateral hip muscles strength are associated with increased FPPA only in the pain-free population.

Keywords: Patellofemoral joint, kinematic, biomechanics, knee injuries, muscle strength dynamometer

DOI: 10.3233/BMR-150622

Journal: Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation, vol. 29, no. 2, pp. 259-266, 2016