Physical therapy improves knee flexion during stair ambulation in patellofemoral pain

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to examine whether a physical therapy intervention, designed to reduce pain and improve the neuromotor control resulted in greater improvements in stance-phase knee flexion during stair ambulation in individuals with patellofemoral pain. The relationship between changes in stance-phase knee flexion and changes in pain, disability, and onset timing of individual vasti activity was also examined. Methods: Forty participants aged 40 yr or younger diagnosed with patellofemoral pain were randomly allocated to a physical therapy (N = 21) or placebo (N = 19) treatment group. Stance-phase knee flexion was measured in two dimensions using a PEAK movement analysis system duri..