Local and widespread hyperalgesia in female runners with patellofemoral pain are influenced by running volume

Author(s)

Pazzinatto, Marcella Ferraz ; Silva, Danilo de Oliveira ; Pradela, Juliana ; Coura, Maira Bergamaschi ; Barton, Christian ; de Azevedo, Fabio Micolis

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: JOURNAL OF SCIENCE AND MEDICINE IN SPORT; v. 20, n. 4, p. 362-367, APR 2017.
• Web of Science Citations: 6

Abstract

Objectives: To compare pressure pain threshold (PPT) around the knee (local hyperalgesia) and at a site remote to the knee (widespread hyperalgesia) between female runners with and without patellofemoral pain (PFP); and to evaluate the relationship between running volume, self-reported knee function and PPT measures. Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Twenty female runners with PFP and twenty pain-free female runners participated in the study. PPTs were measured using a handheld pressure algometer at four sites in the patellar region: quadriceps tendon, medial patella, lateral patella and patellar tendon; and on the contralateral upper limb. Additionally, all participants were asked to report their average weekly running volume in a typical month and answer the anterior knee pain scale (AKPS) questionnaire. Results: For all sites, female runners with PFP presented lower PPT measures in comparison with control group (P < 0.017). There were negative correlations between AKPS and running volume (p = 0.88; P < 0.001) and between all PPTs and the running volume in the PFP group with correlation (p) values ranging between -0.46 and -0.70 (P <0.022). There were positive correlations between all PPTs and AKPS with correlation (p) value from 0.50 to 0.69 (P < 0.030). Conclusion: Lower PPTs locally and remote to the knee in female runners with PFP indicate the presence of local and widespread hyperalgesia. Additionally, this hyperalgesia, which is related to self-reported knee function, appears to be increased by greater running volumes. Development and evaluation of non-mechanical interventions for the management of running-related PFP in females may be needed to address this apparent hyperalgesia. (C) 2016 Sports Medicine Australia. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/24939-7 - Biomechanical analysis of integrated parameters for diagnosis and classification of women with patellofemoral pain syndrome: study of reliability, precision, diagnostic accuracy and association with pain and function
• Grantee: Fábio Mícolis de Azevedo
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 15/15574-8 - Comparison of the level of pain and the pressure pain threshold between runners and non-runners women and without pwith atellofemoral pain Syndrome
• Grantee: Juliana Pradela
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• FAPESP's process: 14/10839-0 - Influence of pain on electromyographic parameters in subjects with patellofemoral pain syndrome during stair climbing: frequency and time domain
• Grantee: Marcella Ferraz Pazzinatto
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master