Analysis of pain, functional capacity, muscular strength and balance in young women with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

Abstract

Introduction: Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS) is associated with anterior knee pain, changes in functional capacity, balance and muscle strength disorders. Objective: To quantify pain, functional capacity, strength in quadriceps (Q), gluteus medium (GM), hip external rotator (ER) muscles and balance in sedentary women with PFPS. Methods: Twenty sedentary women, aged 18 to 25 years, were divided into two groups: PFPS (N=10) and control group (N=10). All the volunteers answered the items of the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), the Lysholm Knee Score Scale, the Anterior Knee Pain Scale (AKPS), and the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS). The participants performed the following tests: maximal voluntary isometric contraction measured by dynamometry; postural balance using the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) and a force platform. Statistical analyses were performed using the Shapiro Wilk test, the Mann Whitney U test and Spearman’s correlation coefficient. Data were submitted to SPSS 20 software. Results: The PFPS group presented greater pain, balance impairment and higher average velocity of oscillation; however, no differences were observed in Q, GM and RE muscle strength and in balance analyzed by SEBT. Conclusion: Women with PFPS exhibited greater pain, worse functional capacity and body balance. Moderate correlation between both balance tests suggests the use of SEBT when the force platform is not available, which could facilitate and highlight the importance of clinical diagnosis with regard to postural balance.