Clinical rearfoot and knee static alignment measurements are not associated with patellofemoral pain syndrome

Author(s)

Sandra Aliberti ^[1] ; Mariana Souza Xavier Costa ^[2] ; Sílvia Maria Amado João ^[3] ; Anice de Campos Pássaro ^[4] ; Antonio Carlos Arnone ^[5] ; Isabel de Camargo Neves Sacco ^[6]

Affiliation

^[1] Universidade de São Paulo. Faculdade de Medicina - Brasil

^[2] USP - Brasil

^[3] USP. Faculdade de Medicina. Departamento de Fisioterapia, Fonoaudiologia e Terapia Ocupacional - Brasil

^[4] USP. Faculdade de Medicina. Departamento de Fisioterapia, Fonoaudiologia e Terapia Ocupacional - Brasil

^[5] USP. Hospital Universitário - Brasil

^[6] USP. Faculdade de Medicina. Departamento de Fisioterapia, Fonoaudiologia e Terapia Ocupacional - Brasil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Fisioter. Pesqui.; v. 19, n. 1, p. 45-51, 2012-03-00.

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between the patellofemoral pain syndrome and the clinical static measurements: the rearfoot and the Q angles. The design was a cross-sectional, observational, case-control study. We evaluated 77 adults (both genders), 30 participants with patellofemoral pain syndrome, and 47 controls. We measured the rearfoot and Q angles by photogrammetry. Independent t-tests were used to compare outcome continuous measures between groups. Outcome continuous data were also transformed into categorical clinical classifications, in order to verify their statistical association with the dysfunction, and χ2 tests for multiple responses were used. There were no differences between groups for rearfoot angle [mean differences: 0.2º (95%CI -1.4-1.8)] and Q angle [mean differences: -0.3º (95%CI -3.0-2.4). No associations were found between increased rearfoot valgus [Odds Ratio: 1.29 (95%CI 0.51-3.25)], as well as increased Q angle [Odds Ratio: 0.77 (95%CI 0.31-1.93)] and the patellofemoral pain syndrome occurrence. Although widely used in clinical practice and theoretically thought, it cannot be affirmed that increased rearfoot valgus and increased Q angle, when statically measured in relaxed stance, are associated with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). These measures may have limited applicability in screening of the PFPS development. (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