Biomechanical study of ankle and foot dynamic behavior in subjects with patellofemoral pain syndrome: gait and stair descent

Abstract

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS) is recognized as being one of the most frequent disorders involving the knee. Despite its high prevalence, however, underlying rationales for treatment remains vague e controversial. Excessive rearfoot pronation is commonly viewed as an etiologic factor for development of Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS) in clinical assessments, although it has not been well documented by experimental studies. Objective: To compare dynamical assessment of ankle and foot in subjects with and without Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome in gait and stair descending task. Methods and Measures: 96 subjects, with (n=32) and without (n=64) Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome diagnose will be evaluated. The assessment protocol will consist of: (1) Initial Assessment: Initial Questionnaire – sample description; Lysholm Scale - functional assessment of the knee. (2) Clinical Assessment: Static- Lower Extremity Alignment - rearfoot angle, Q angle and patellar medial/lateral orientation. (3) Biomechanics Assessment: Bilateral Plantar pressure measurement in gait and stair descending task (Pedar Novel System) synchronized with unilateral ankle range of motion on sagittal and transverse plane made by an Biaxial Electrigoniometer. (4) Visual Analogue Pain Scale(VAS)