Síndrome de Dolor Patelofemoral: revisión actualizada del tratamiento conservador / Patelofemoral Pain Syndrome: Updated review of conservative treatment

Introducción: El síndrome de dolor patelofemoral, se define como aquel dolor retro o peripatelar agravado por al menos 1 actividad que cargue la articulación en flexión. Su diagnóstico, se basa en una correcta anamnesis, examen físico y pruebas de evocación de dolor e inestabilidad. El tratamiento puede ser quirúrgico o conservador, este último, tiene como objetivo disminuir el dolor e inflamación. Sin embargo, a pesar de su alta prevalencia, existen escasos protocolos sobre su manejo, por lo que el objetivo de este trabajo es entregar una revisión de la literatura con información reciente, a modo de dar una recomendación actualizada para su tratamiento. Materiales Y Métodos: Se realizó una revisión no sistemática de estudios publicados entre enero del 2005 y agosto del 2020, utilizando los términos MeSH "Anterior knee pain", "Patellofemoral pain syndrome" y "Treatment". Se usaron como motores de búsqueda PubMed, The Cochrane Library y Trip Data base, excluyendo estudios en animales y población pediátrica. Desarrollo: El tratamiento conservador del síndrome de dolor anterior de rodilla, puede dividirse en intervenciones proximales, locales y distales, todas centradas en una correcta pauta de fortalecimientos y estiramientos de los elementos comprometidos. Se recomienda esquemas asociados de fortalecimientos de core, cadera y rodilla, sin embargo, la literatura no es consistente en pautas de tratamiento protocolizados. Conclusión: El tratamiento conservador del síndrome del dolor patelofemoral depende exclusivamente de los resultados de un correcto examen físico y de las pruebas terapéuticas correspondientes.

Introduction: Patellofemoral pain syndrome is defined as that retro or peripatellar pain aggravated by at least one activity that loads the joint in flexion. Its diagnostic is based on the correct anamnesis, physical exam, pain evocation tests and instability. The treatment can be surgical or conservative, and the last one aims to reduce pain and inflammation. However, despite its high prevalence, there are few protocols concerning its handling, so the main objective of this research is to offer a literature review with updated information, in order to give an updated recommendation for its treatment. Materials And Methods: A non-systematic review of studies published between January 2005 and August 2020 were performed, using the MeSH "Anterior knee pain", "Patellofemoral pain syndrome" and "Treatment". PubMed, The Cochrane Library, and Trip Database were used as search engines, excluding studies in animals and the pediatric population. Development: The conservative treatment of anterior knee pain syndrome, can be divided into proximal, local and distal interventions, all of them focused on a correct guide of strengthening and stretching of the elements involved. Associated schemes of core, hip and knee strengthening are recommended, nevertheless, the literature is not consistent in terms of protocolized treatment guidelines. Conclusion: The conservative treatment of patellofemoral pain syndrome depends exclusively on the results of a correct physical examination, and the corresponding therapeutic tests.

Avaliação do alinhamento de joelhos e retropés em mulheres com e sem dor patelofemoral durante o exercício de agachamento / Knee and rearfoot alignment´s assessment in womans with and without patellofemoral pain during squat exercise

O agachamento, considerado um movimento biomecânico complexo em função de exigir alinhamento dinâmico, é um exercício frequentemente praticado. Se executado de forma errada, pode tornar-se fator de risco para lesões osteomioarticulares, como a dor patelofemoral. Objetivo: Avaliar o alinhamento dos joelhos e do retropé durante o exercício de agachamento em mulheres com e sem dor patelofemoral. Método: Foram selecionadas 25 mulheres, com idade entre 19 e 37 anos, praticantes de musculação há no mínimo seis meses, que referissem dor no joelho durante atividades funcionais. A amostra foi recrutada em quatro academias do Vale do Taquari. Após a aplicação de um Questionário, que abordou intensidade e comportamento da dor patelofemoral, as voluntárias foram divididas em dois grupos: 14 com dor patelofemoral e 11 sem dor patelofemoral. Foi filmada a execução do exercício de agachamento e do Step Down Test, para avaliar o alinhamento dos joelhos e retropé nestas atividades funcionais. Resultados: Os dados foram analisados por meio de estatística descritiva, teste t Student e Correlação de Pearson, com um nível de significância de p < 0,05. Não houve diferença entre as variáveis, comparando-se o grupo com e sem dor patelofemoral. As participantes com maiores valores angulares de valgismo estático tendem a apresentar a mesma característica durante o teste Step Down. Conclusão: É necessária uma abordagem avaliativa individualizada, com a divisão em subgrupos, de acordo com a etiologia da dor. Questiona-se a classificação das alterações biomecânicas como causa ou efeito da dor patelofemoral e das compensações realizadas.

The Squatting, considered a complex biomechanical movement due to requiring dynamic alignment, is a frequently practiced exercise. If performed in the wrong way, it can become a risk rese for osteomioarticular lesions, such as patellofemoral pain. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the alignment of the knees and the rearfoot during the squatting exercise in women with and without patellofemoral pain. Method: Twenty-five women, aged between 19 and 37 years, were trained for at least six months, who reported knee pain during functional activities. The sample was recruited in four academies of the Taquari Valley. After the application of a Questionnaire, which addressed the intensity and behavior of patellofemoral pain, the volunteers were divided into two groups: 14 with patellofemoral pain and 11 without patellofemoral pain. The execution of the squat exercise and the Step Down Test were recorded to evaluate the alignment of the knees and rearfoot in these functional activities. Results: The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Student's t-test and Pearson's correlation, with a significance level of p <0.05. There was no difference between the variables, comparing the group with and without patellofemoral pain. The participants with higher angular values of static valgus tend to resente the same characteristic during the Step Down test. Conclusion: An individualized evaluation approach is necessary, with the subgrouping according to the pain's etiology. It is questioned the classification of biomechanical alterations as cause or effect of patellofemoral pain and compensations performed.

Role of magnetic resonance imaging evaluation of anterior knee pain

Background: the term "anterior knee pain" is often used interchangeably with "Patellofemoral pain syndrome PFPS" or "runner's knee". PFPS can be defined as anterior knee pain involving the patella and retinaculum

Aim of the Work: to highlight the role of magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] in the diagnosis and grading of the most common causes of anterior knee pain

Patients and Methods: this study included fifty patients, their ages range between 10-60 years [average age 27 years]. All presented with anterior knee pain [AKP] and were referred to the Radiology Department of El-Demerdash Hospital for MRI examination after orthopedic consultation

Results: the role of MRI in the diagnosis and grading of the most common causes of anterior knee pain have been shown in this study. These causes have been classified in to five disease categories; Patellar abnormalities represented most of them [64% of the sample size] and they included chondromalacia patella, patellar instability, transient patellar dislocation and painful bipartite patella. Hoffa's diseases represented 12% of the sample size and they included Hoffa impingement syndrome and Hoffa fibrotic bands. Patellar tendon disorders represented 6 % of the sample size and they included Patellar Tendinopathy and Osgood Schlatter Disease. Quadriceps tendon disorders represented 4% of the sample size and they included Quadriceps Tendinopathy. Other causes represented 14% of the sample size and they included torn anterior horn of the lateral meniscus and cartilage injuries

Conclusion: many factors may cause anterior knee pain. MRI is generally safe, non-ionizing, non-invasive and valuable imaging technique which has been proven to be the modality of choice for establishing an accurate diagnosis of different knee pathologies that cause anterior knee pain in different age groups. It also allows to know the extent, severity, grades and types of the lesions, what will be necessary to decide appropriate treatment

Recommendations: further studies on a larger scale of patients are needed to confirm the results obtained by this work

Influence of the treatment of the Kinesio-taping® technique on pain and functionality in patients with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome / Influência do tratamento da técnica de Kinesio-taping® na dor e funcionalidade em pacientes com Síndrome de Disfunção Femoropatelar

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS) is defined as anterior or retro patellar pain in the absence of another comorbidity of the knee. It is a pathology with high incidence, affecting 20% of the population in general. The Kinesio-Taping® (KT) technique, also known as elastic bandaging, is a method that has become popular in the last 10 years and since then has been used as a therapeutic approach both in prevention and directly acting on the symptoms of sports injuries and injuries that affect the knee. The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of the Kinesio-Taping® technique on the symptomatology and functionality of individuals with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS). The subjects involved in this study contained 32 female subjects, clinically diagnosed with this syndrome, who were randomly divided into two groups. The first group received treatment with Kinesio-Taping® and conventional physiotherapy, and the other group received conventional physiotherapeutic treatment. Both groups were submitted to HOPTEST, EVA scale, and the Lysholm questionnaire before and after the intervention, which was performed for 1 month. It was found that Kinesio-Taping ® had a significant improvement in the VAS scale at the conclusion of the test (p = 0.012), however, as for functionality and balance, in comparison between the control and experimental groups, no significant difference was observed. Given the above results, it is concluded that the Kinesio-Taping (KT) technique associated with conventional physiotherapeutic treatment provides greater pain relief to patients with PFPS.

A Síndrome da disfunção Femoropatelar (SDFP) é definida como uma dor anterior ou retro patelar na ausência de outra comorbidade do joelho. É uma patologia com alta incidência, afetando 20% da população em geral. A técnica de Knesio-Taping® (KT), também conhecida como bandagem elástica é um método que se tornou popular nos últimos 10 anos e, desde então tem sido utilizado como proposta terapêutica tanto na prevenção, como atuando diretamente nos sintomas de lesões esportivas e naquelas que acometem o joelho. O estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a influência da técnica Kinesio-Taping® na sintomatologia e funcionalidade de indivíduos com síndrome de Disfunção Femoropatelar (SDFP). A população envolvida neste estudo foi de 32 indivíduos do sexo feminino, diagnosticados clinicamente com a referida síndrome, as quais foram divididas aleatoriamente em dois grupos, o primeiro grupo recebeu o tratamento com Kinesio-Taping® e fisioterapia convencional e o outro grupo recebeu tratamento fisioterapêutico convencional. Ambos os grupos foram submetidos ao HOPTEST, escala de EVA e o questionário Lysholm antes e depois da intervenção, a qual foi realizada por 1 mês. Verificou-se que a Kinesio-Taping® teve uma melhora significativa na EVA ao concluir o ensaio (p=0,012), no entanto, para a funcionalidade e o equilíbrio, na comparação entre os grupos controle e experimental, não foi verificada diferença significativos. Diante do exposto conclui-se que a técnica Kinesio-Taping(KT) associada ao tratamento fisioterapêutico convencional proporciona maior conforto álgico aos pacientes com SDFP.

Radiofrecuencia pulsada para el tratamiento del síndrome de dolor patelofemoral postraumático / Pulsed radiofrequency for treatment of post-traumatic patellofemoral pain syndrome

El síndrome de dolor patelofemoral puede ser definido como dolor retropatelar o peripatelar resultante de cambios físicos y bioquímicos en la articulación patelofemoral. En ortopedia, las causas más comunes serían el sobreuso, el mal alineamiento patelofemoral y el trauma. Presentamos un caso del uso de radiofrecuencia pulsada selectiva de los nervios patelares, medial y lateral, para el tratamiento del dolor patelofemoral postraumático crónico. La radiofrecuencia pulsada puede ser una opción mínimamente invasiva para el tratamiento del síndrome de dolor patelofemoral postraumático...

Patellofemoral pain syndrome can be defined as retropatellar or peripatellar pain resulting from physical and biochemical changes in the patellofemoral joint. In orthopaedics, the most common causes include overuse, patellofemoral malalignment, and trauma. The case is reported of chronic post-traumatic patellofemoral pain syndrome treated with pulsed radiofrequency of both the medial and lateral patellar nerves. Pulsed radiofrequency might be a minimally invasive option for treatment of post-traumatic patellofemoral pain syndrome...

Plicatura medial asistida por artroscopia a propósito de un caso / Arthroscopically-a medial plication: a case report / Plicature médiale assistée par arthroscopie, à propos d'un cas

La plicatura medial asistida por artroscopia constituye una variedad quirúrgica empleada en pacientes que presentan mala alineación patelofemoral. El paciente de 44 años de edad, blanca, femenina con antecedentes de salud anterior, la cual desde hace aproximadamente un año refiere dolor a nivel de la cara anterior de la rodilla izquierda, para lo cual ha llevado tratamiento en múltiples ocasiones con analgésicos, antiinflamatorios no esteroideos y varias sesiones de terapia de rehabilitación con respuesta muy limitada a sus síntomas. Se realizó liberación del retináculo lateral acompañada de plicatura medial, esta técnica se describe por pasos. La plicatura medial asistida por artroscopia, es un procedimiento simple, que no necesita de una curva larga de aprendizaje y presenta un mínimo de complicaciones.

Arthroscopically-assisted medial placation is a surgical variety used in patients with poor patellofemoral alignment. 44-year-old, white female patient, with previous health history of concerns, refers pain at the anterior aspect of her left knee for about a year. She has been treated with analgesics, NSAIDs multiple times and several rehabilitation therapy sessions with very limited response to her symptoms. Release of the lateral retinaculum accompanied by medial plication was performed on this patiente. This technique is described by steps. Assisted arthroscopic medial plication is a simple procedure which does not require long learning curve and it has a minimum of complications.

La plicature médiale assistée par arthroscopie constitue une technique chirurgicale employée chez les patients atteints d’un mauvais alignement fémoro-pathélaire. Le cas d’un patient (femme âgée de 44 ans, blanche) avec une historie de santé antérieure, référant depuis un an à peu près une douleur au niveau de la face antérieure du genou gauche, plusieurs traitements (analgésiques, antiinflammatoires non stéroïdiens), et pas mal de sessions de rééducation sans réponse satisfaisante, est présenté. On a effectué la libération du rétinaculum latéral, conjointement avec une plicature médiale. La plicature médiale assistée par arthroscopie est une procédure simple n’ayant pas besoin d’une longue courbe d’apprentissage et présentant très peu de complications.

Abordagens fisioterapêuticas na síndrome da dor patelofemoral: revisão de literatura / Physiotherapeutic approaches in patellofemoral pain syndrome: literature review

Introdução: Síndrome da dor patelofemoral (SDPF) é um termo comumente usado para descrever dor anterior de joelho, com gênese devido a diversos fatores, sendo agravada em movimentos de subir e descer escadas, permanecer sentado por muito tempo. Objetivo: Revisar na literatura as abordagens fisioterapêuticas utilizadas no tratamento da síndrome da dor femoropatelar, ressaltando os mais recentes protocolos de tratamento, analisar os efeitos dessas técnicas à patologia, avaliar e discutir a viabilidade desses tratamentos. Métodos: Realizou-se uma busca na literatura, nas bases de dados Lilacs, Medline e PubMed, utilizando palavras-chave dos Descritores em Ciências da Saúde (DECS), nos idiomas português, inglês e espanhol. Para a seleção dos artigos, foi usada a escala metodológica de Jadad. Resultados: Foram selecionados 12 estudos, incluindo 930 pacientes em diversos protocolos de tratamento da patologia estudada. Conclusão: Identificaram-se estudos com novos tratamentos para dor femoropatelar, aumentando, assim, a gama de protocolos para essa doença.

Introduction: Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome is a term commonly used to describe anterior knee pain – arising due to several factors – and is aggravated on moving up and down stairs or sitting for long period of time. Objective: To review in the literature physiotherapy resources used in the treatment of patellofemoral pain syndrome, highlighting the newest treatment protocols, analyzing the effect of these resources to pathology, evaluate and discuss the feasibility of such treatments. Methods: A literature search was performed in Lilacs, Medline and PubMed databases using MeSH keywords – Health Sciences Descriptors in Portuguese, English and Spanish languages. For the selection of articles was used methodological Jadad scale. Results: Twelve studies were selected including, 930 patients undergoing various treatment protocols for the pathology under study. Conclusion: Studies of new treatments for patellofemoral pain were identified, thus increasing the range of the protocols for this disease.

Contribuição da avaliação dos sinais clínicos em pacientes com síndrome da dor patelofemural / Contribution of the evaluation of the clinical signals in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome

Objetivo: Como a síndrome da dor patelofemoral (SDPF) é uma desordem comum, caracterizada por etiologia multifatorial e o mais prevalente sintoma na SDPF é uma dor difusa e usualmente localizada na região retropatelar, entretanto, com sinais e sintomas que podem estar relacionados como pronação subtalar excessiva, torsão tibial externa, alterações no deslocamento patelar, amplitude de movimento do joelho dolorosa, dor nas bordas patelares, tensão muscular e alterações no ângulo quadricipital (ângulo Q). O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar a frequência destes sinais e sintomas associados a um questionário de dor anterior no joelho. Métodos: Trinta e nove voluntárias sedentárias foram avaliadas, divididas em dois grupos, SDPF (19) e controle (20). Estas voluntárias foram avaliadas quanto aos sinais e sintomas supracitados além da avaliação da dor por meio de questionário. Resultados: os resultados demonstraram uma frequência elevada de relatos dolorosos em seis de treze questões, em relação ao grupo controle. Conclusão: De acordo com estes achados, concluímos que a avaliação funcional de indivíduos com SDFP deve ser constituída de um questionário de dor anterior no joelho e uma avaliação das características de sinais e sintomas para exame de todo o membro inferior estático e durante situações funcionais. Nível de Evidência II, Estudos Diagnósticos.

Objective: As patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a common disorder characterized by multifactorial etiology and whose the most prevalent symptom is a diffuse pain, usually located on the retropatellar region, however, it also shows signs and symptoms that can be related as excessive subtalar pronation, external tibial torsion, patellar displacement alterations, painful range of motion of the knee, pain in the patellar borders, muscular tightness and changes in quadriceps angle (Q Angle), the objective of this work was to determine the frequency of these signs and symptoms associated to a previous knee pain questionnaire. Methods: thirty-nine sedentary female volunteers had been evaluated, divided in two groups, PFPS (19) and Control (20). These subjects were evaluated for signs and symptoms described above, in addition to pain assessment by questionnaire. Results: the results demonstrated a high frequency of pain in six of the thirteen questions in relation to the control group. Conclusion: according to these findings, we conclude that the functional evaluation of individuals with PFPS should consist of a previous knee pain questionnaire and an evaluation of the characteristic signs and symptoms for examination of the entire lower limb during static and functional situations. Level of Evidence II, Diagnostic Studies.

Estimulação elétrica neuromuscular na disfunção patelofemoral: revisão de literatura / Neuromuscular electric stimulation in patellofemoral dysfunction: riterature review

A disfunção femoropatelar é uma deficiência bastante comum entre indivíduos jovens que acomete, principalmente, o sexo feminino e pode ser caracterizada por dor, edema e creptação retropatelar. Sistematizar o conhecimento em relação ao aumento da força muscular do quadríceps e alívio de dor em pacientes com disfunção femoropatelar, através da utilização da estimulação elétrica neuromuscular e exercícios resistidos. Trata se de um estudo de revisão narrativa da literatura no período de 2005 a 2011. Os critérios de inclusão foram artigos de intervenção, dos últimos seis anos, nos idiomas inglês, espanhol e português, que utilizaram o fortalecimento muscular e a eletroestimulação neuromuscular para reabilitação obtidos através de buscas nos bancos de dados eletrônicos Medline, Lilacs e na biblioteca Bireme. A busca bibliográfica resultou em 28 referências, destes foram excluídos nove de acordo com os objetivos e critérios de inclusão e foram selecionados 16 artigos para leitura dos resumos e posterior análise. A Estimulação Elétrica Neuromuscular (EENM) de média frequência pode ser utilizada associada a exercícios resistidos como coadjuvante no tratamento da disfunção femoropatelar (DFP), tanto para se obter um reequilíbrio muscular quanto para o alívio da dor.

Patellofemoral dysfunction is a fairly common deficiency among young individuals that primarily affects females and may be characterized by pain, swelling and retropatellar crepitation. The purpose of this review of literature from the period between 2005 and 2011 was to systematize knowledge in relation to the increase in quadriceps muscle strength and pain relief in patients with patellofemoral dysfunction, using neuromuscular electrical stimulation and resistance exercises. The inclusion criteria were intervention articles from the past six years, in English, Spanish and Portuguese, which used muscle strengthening and neuromuscular electrical stimulation for rehabilitation obtained through searches in the electronic databases Medline and Lilacs and in the Bireme library. The bibliographic search yielded 28 references, of which nine were excluded in accordance with the aims and inclusion criteria while 16 articles were selected for reading of the abstracts and subsequent analysis. Mediumfrequency Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) can be used in association with resistance exercises as an adjuvant in the treatment of patellofemoral dysfunction (PFD), both to achieve muscle rebalance and for pain relief.

Effect of eccentric isotonic quadriceps muscle exercises on patellofemoral pain syndrome: an exploratory pilot study

There is a decrease in quadriceps muscle strength in subjects with patellofemoral pain syndrome. Various types of strengthening exercises of the quadriceps are done as part of its management, but the effect of isotonic eccentric quadriceps muscle exercises on patellofemoral pain syndrome has not been studied. Hence the aim of this exploratory pilot study was to evaluate the effect of eccentric quadriceps training in patients with patellofemoral pain. Twenty patients [12 female and 8 male, mean ages, 27.50 +/- 6.6 years] with patellofemoral pain syndrome were treated. The eccentric training of the quadriceps was given using a Baltimore Therapeutic Equipment [BTE] Primus machine. The main outcome measures used were percentage time on target as shown by the BTE primus machine, SF-36 Health questionnaire and patellofemoral pain severity scale. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 13. All the outcome measures showed significant improvements [P<0.05]. Percentage time on target improved with a mean difference of 23.6, the SF-36 questionnaire showed an improvement in physical component score, mental component score and bodily pain with a mean difference of 10.9, 2.6 and 29.2 respectively and pain score when taken using patellofemoral severity scale also improved with a mean difference of 3.4. Isotonic eccentric training of quadriceps muscles was found to be effective in reducing pain and improving the functional status of patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome and can be suggested as part of the treatment

Efeitos da eletroestimulação do músculo vasto medial oblíquo em portadores de síndrome da dor patelofemoral: uma análise eletromiográfica / Effects of electrical stimulation of vastus medialis obliquus muscle in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome: an electromyographic analysis

CONTEXTUALIZAÇÃO: O uso da eletromiografia de superfície (EMG-S) tem sido considerado como instrumento de avaliação quantitativa na síndrome da dor patelofemoral (SDPF). Tratamentos conservadores objetivam melhorar o alinhamento patelar, e a estimulação elétrica do músculo vasto medial oblíquo (VMO) tem sido considerada por ser seletiva e não causar irritação articular. OBJETIVO: Verificar o efeito de um programa de fortalecimento muscular com estimulação elétrica do VMO na SDPF por meio da capacidade de avaliação da EMG-S. MÉTODOS: Participaram deste estudo 10 mulheres jovens (idade: 23,1±4,9 anos; massa corporal: 66,8±14,0 kg; estatura: 1,63±6,9 cm; IMC: 25,1±5,6 kg/m²) com SDPF unilateral, as quais realizaram o teste funcional de subir degrau para captação da atividade eletromiográfica dos músculos VMO e vasto lateral (VL), antes e após um programa de estimulação elétrica do VMO. A eletroestimulação foi realizada três vezes por semana, durante seis semanas. Foram consideradas, para análise entre VMO e VL, as variáveis razão do tempo do início até o pico de ativação, razão da integral do sinal (teste t para amostras dependentes) e diferença de início de ativação (teste de Wilcoxon), com nível de significância de p<0,05. RESULTADOS: Os resultados mostraram que ocorreu alteração somente no comportamento eletromiográfico relativo à razão da integral do sinal, mostrando que, após o treinamento muscular, ocorreram mudanças na capacidade de geração da força. CONCLUSÃO: O uso da eletroestimulação deve ser considerado no sentido de complementar a abordagem terapêutica conservadora em portadores da SDFP e a análise da razão da integral do sinal de EMG-S, como instrumento de avaliação. Artigo registrado no Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) sob o número ACTRN 12609000079246.

BACKGROUND: The use of surface electromyography (SEMG) has been considered a tool for quantitative assessment of patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). Conservative treatments aim to improve patellar alignment, and electrical stimulation of the vastus medialis obliquus (VMO) muscle has been considered effective because it is selective and does not cause joint irritation. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the efficiency of a muscle strengthening program with electrical stimulation of the VMO muscle in PFPS by SEMG. METHODS: A group of ten young women (age: 23.1±4.9 years; body mass: 66.8±14.0 kg; height: 1.63±6.9 cm; BMI: 25.1±5.6 kg/m²) with unilateral PFPS participated in the study. They performed the functional test of stair stepping to capture the electromyographic (EMG) activity of the VMO and vastus lateralis (VL) muscles, before and after a program of electrical stimulation of the VMO muscle. The electrical stimulation was performed three times per week for six weeks. For analysis between the VMO and VL muscles, we considered the variables: ratio of time of onset to peak of activation, ratio of the integrals of the signals (t-test for dependent samples), and difference between onsets of activation (Wilcoxon test), with significance level of p<0.05. RESULTS: The results only showed change in behavior in the EMG signal for the ratio of the integrals of the signals, indicating that changes occurred in the force-generating capacity of the muscle after the training. CONCLUSION: The use of electrical stimulation should be considered to complement the conservative therapeutic approach in patients with PFPS, and the analysis of the ratio of the integrals of the SEMG signals should be considered as an instrument of evaluation. Article registered in the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) under number ACTRN 12609000079246.

Tratamento da instabilidade femoropatelar crônica pela reconstrução do ligamento femoropatelar medial / Treatment of the chronic patellofemoral instability with the medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction

Hipótese: Reconstrução do ligamento patelofemoral medial restaura a estabilidade, promove retorno funcional e alívio da dor em pacientes com instabilidade patelar lateral crônica. Design do estudo: Série de casos nível 4 de evidência. Métodos: Vinte e um pacientes com instabilidade lateral crônica foram tratados com reconstrução do ligamento patelofemoral medial usando enxerto do semitendíneo. Todos os pacientes foram avaliados pré-operatoriamente e pós-operatoriamente com questionários de Kujala, Fulkerson, Lysholm, nível de atividade de Tegner e através da Escala Analógica de Dor por um período mínimo de 24 meses. Resultados: Vinte e um pacientes foram avaliados por um período médio de 66,5 meses (variando de 24-130 meses) após a cirurgia. O questionário de Kujala mudou de 55,7 para 82,3, o de Fulkerson mudou de 60,6 para 91,2, o de Lysholm variou de 53,5 para 85,6, a escala de atividade de Tegner variou de 3,5 para 7,1 e a Escala Analógica Visual de Dor variou de 7,4 no pré-operatório para 3,0 na última avaliação. Todos mostraram diferenças estatisticamente significantes (P <.001). Nenhuma diferença estatisticamente significante foi encontrada nas avaliações pós-operatoria dos questionários de Kujala, Lysholm, Fulkerson, Tegner e Escala Analógica Visual de Dor. Existiram 66,59%, 71,42% e 71,41% de bons e excelentes resultados baseados nos questionários de Kujala, Lysholm e Fulkerson, respectivamente. Nenhuma luxação recorrente ocorreu e todos os 21 pacientes estavam satisfeitos com o tratamento cirúrgico. Conclusão: A reconstrução do ligamento patelofemoral medial prove excelente alívio da dor e retorno funcional em pacientes com instabilidade patelar crônica.

effect of patellar taping on knee joint proprioception in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome

Proprioception has been found to have a relation to subjective knee function and patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome [PFPS] seem to have larger deficits than asymptomatic individuals little is known about whether taping can restore defects in proprioception or by which mechanisms it can improve anterior knee pain. To determine the effect of patellar taping on knee joint proprioception a pre and post intervention repeated measures design was conducted on 25 male with PFPS [23.6 +/- 3.04 years] and 25 healthy male [23.5 +/- 3.1 years]. Active angle reproduction, passive angle reproduction, and threshold to detection of passive movement tests were measured. Each of the tests was done under taped and no-taped conditions in 20 and 60 degree of knee flexion. We found significant difference between taped and no-taped conditions in active angle reproduction test for both groups [P < 0.05]. The other tests did not show any significant difference [P > 0.05]. Obtained results suggest that patellar taping may improve knee proprioception during active angle reproduction. Two groups could benefit from taping but further researches are needed to determine whether the present results are applicable to other situations or not