Advanced search
Start date
Betweenand


Influence of patellofemoral pain syndrome on lower extremity postural alignment and plantar pressure distribution during stair descent and gait

Full text
Author(s):
Sandra Aliberti
Total Authors: 1
Document type: Master's Dissertation
Press: São Paulo.
Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Medicina (FM/SBD)
Defense date:
Examining board members:
Isabel de Camargo Neves Sacco; Fábio Viadanna Serrão; Clarice Tanaka
Advisor: Isabel de Camargo Neves Sacco
Abstract

Patellofemoral pain syndrome is one of the most common dysfunctions of the knee, particularly among young physically active females. Its treatment remains challenger due to the lack of scientific rationales bases to guide its rehabilitation. Static and dynamic misalignment of the lower extremity, like excessive rearfoot pronation has been clinically and theoretically associated as risk factors for this dysfunction. However, scientific studies to confirm this association are still controversial. The general purpose of this study was to verify the influence of patellofemoral pain syndrome on rearfoot and knee postural alignment as well as on plantar pressure distribution during the stance phase of stair descent and three sub phases of stance gait. 77 young adults of both sexes divided in to control group (GC=47) and patellofemoral pain goup(PFPG=30) were studied. Three experiments were realized in order to respond the specific scientific questions. The experiment 1 had the specific purpose of verify the association between patellofemoral pain syndrome and postural alignment of rearfoot and knee (n=77; CG=47, PFPG=30). Therefore, three clinical measurements were evaluated: rearfoot angle, Q angle (digital photogrammetry) and the medio-lateral orientation of the patella (adapted from McConnell). The experiment 2 aimed specifically to investigate plantar pressure distribution in subjects with and without patellofemoral pain syndrome, during the stair descent, and evaluate the pain referred by the subjects before and after the motor task (n=74;CG=44,PFPG=30), plantar pressure distribution was evaluated with capacitive insoles(Pedar X System) during the stance phase of stair descent as well as the pain referred by the subjects by Visual Analogue Scale before and after the task. The experiment 3 intended specifically to verify the influence of patellofemoral pain syndrome on plantar pressure distribution during initial contact, midstance and propulsion of the gait stance (n=57; GC=35, GSPF=22). The principal results of this study showed that there was no influence of the dysfunction on postural alignment of rearfoot and knee. However, patellofemoral pain syndrome during the stair descent was related to a medially directed contact at the rearfoot and midfoot and lower plantar loads probably due to the increase in pain observed after the task. During gait, the subjects with the dysfunction showed again an initial contact medially directed at the rearfoot and laterally directed propulsion on forefoot. The results of this study show that patellofemoral pain syndrome was not associated to postural alignment but influenced the plantar pressure distribution during gait as well as stair descending task. These findings confirm the importance of the dynamic evaluation of subjects with this dysfunction during their rehabilitation. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 05/03803-0 - Biomechanical study of ankle and foot dynamic behavior in subjects with patellofemoral pain syndrome: gait and stair descent
Grantee:Sandra Aliberti
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master