Lower-Extremity Muscle Activity, Kinematics, and Dynamic Postural Control in Individuals With Patellofemoral Pain.

Context: Altered lower-extremity muscle activity has been associated with lower-extremity kinematics in individuals with patellofemoral pain (PFP). However, few studies have examined these relationships, and the results are inconsistent.

Objective: To compare the lower-extremity muscle activity, kinematics, pain level, and reach distance during the anterior reach of the star excursion balance test (SEBT) between participants with PFP and healthy individuals (control [CON] group).

Relationship of Knee Motions With Static Leg Alignments and Hip Motions in Frontal and Transverse Planes During Double-Leg Landing in Healthy Athletes.

Context: Excessive knee valgus and tibial external rotation relative to the femur during weight bearing motions, such as jump-landing, reportedly increases the risk of developing chronic knee pain, such as patellofemoral pain. Excessive deviations from normal ranges of several static lower extremity alignment measures and dynamic hip motions may also increase the risks for patellofemoral pain.

Objective: To determine the relationship between lower extremity alignments and hip motions to frontal and transverse plane knee motions during double-leg landings.

Plantar loading changes with alterations in foot strike patterns during a single session in habitual rear foot strike female runners.

Objectives: Characterize plantar loading parameters when habitually rear foot strike (RFS) runners change their pattern to a non-rear foot strike (NRFS).

Design: Experimental.

Setting: University biomechanics laboratory.

Patellofemoral pain syndrome alters neuromuscular control and kinetics during stair ambulation.

The aim of the study was to investigate differences in frontal plane knee kinetics, onset timing and duration of the gluteus medius (GMed), adductor longus (AL), and vastus medialis oblique (VMO) during stair ambulation between those with and without patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). Twenty PFPS patients and twenty healthy participants completed stair ambulation while surface electromyography (EMG), video, and ground reaction forces were collected. PFPS patients had a higher peak internal knee abduction moment during stair ascent, and a higher internal knee abduction impulse for both ascent and descent.

Patellar taping, patellofemoral pain syndrome, lower extremity kinematics, and dynamic postural control.

Context: Patellar taping has been a part of intervention for treatment of patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). However, research on the efficacy of patellar taping on lower extremity kinematics and dynamic postural control is limited.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of patellar taping on sagittal-plane hip and knee kinematics, reach distance, and perceived pain level during the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT) in individuals with and without PFPS.

A systematic review of the effects of therapeutic taping on patellofemoral pain syndrome.

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of patellar taping on pain control, patellar alignment, and neuromuscular control (ie, vastus medialis oblique activation, knee extensor moment, etc) in subjects with patellofemoral pain syndrome.

Data Sources: We searched MEDLINE, SPORT Discus, PEDro, and CINAHL through December 2004, using the key words patellar taping, therapeutic taping, McConnell taping, taping, chronic injury, patellofemoral pain, and knee.

Study Selection: Criteria for inclusion criteria were studies that exclusively recruited patients diagnosed with patellofemoral pain syndrome or anterior knee pain and outcome measures specific to pain reduction, neuromuscular control, and patellar positioning.