Relationship between knee abduction moment with patellofemoral joint reaction force, stress and self-reported pain during stair descent in women with patellofemoral pain

Author(s)

Waiteman, Marina Cabral ^[1] ; Briani, Ronaldo Valdir ^[1] ; Pazzinatto, Marcella Ferraz ^{[1, 2]} ; Ferreira, Amanda Schenatto ^[1] ; Ferrari, Deisi ^{[3, 4]} ; Silva, Danilo de Oliveira ^{[1, 2]} ; de Azevedo, Fabio Micolis ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] Sao Paulo State Univ, Sch Sci & Technol, Phys Therapy Dept, Presidente Prudente - Brazil

^[2] La Trobe Univ, Sch Allied Hlth, La Trobe Sports & Exercise Med Res Ctr, Bundoora, Vic - Australia

^[3] Educ Fac Francisco Beltrao, Phys Therapy Dept, Francisco Beltrao - Brazil

^[4] Cascavel Educ Ctr, Phys Therapy Dept, Cascavel - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: CLINICAL BIOMECHANICS; v. 59, p. 110-116, NOV 2018.
• Web of Science Citations: 2

Abstract

Background: Increased external knee abduction moment has been proposed as a risk factor for patellofemoral pain. This alteration is thought to be associated with elevated patellofemoral joint reaction force and stress, however these relationships remain poorly explored. Therefore, this study aimed at comparing knee abduction moment parameters (peak, rate of moment development and impulse), patellofemoral joint reaction force and stress of women with patellofemoral pain and pain-free controls during stair descent; and investigating the relationship among these variables with self-reported pain. Methods: Kinetic data was obtained by inverse-dynamics equations and a previously reported algorithmic model was used to determine patellofemoral joint reaction force and stress. Participants' worst pain in the last month and pain level during stair descent were evaluated using a visual analogue scale. Findings: Women with patellofemoral pain presented higher peak, rate of moment development and impulse of the external knee abduction moment, patellofemoral joint reaction force and stress (p = 0.005 to 0.04, effect size = 0.52 to 0.96) during stair descent than pain-free controls. Only knee abduction moment impulse presented positive moderate correlations with worst pain level in the last month (r = 0.53, p < 000.1), pain level during stair descent (r = 0.33, p = 0.042), patellofemoral joint reaction force (r = 0.65, p < 000.1) and stress (r = 0.58, p < 000.1). Interpretation: These findings indicate that strategies aimed at decreasing external knee abduction moment impulse could reduce the load over the patellofemoral joint and improve pain of women with patellofemoral pain. (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: 16/09665-3 - Comparison of the peak and the loading rate of the knee abduction moment of women with and without patellofemoral pain during stair descent
• Grantee: Marina Cabral Waiteman
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation