A simple rehabilitation regime improves functional outcome in patients with patellafemoral pain after 12 month.

Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of a 3-month multimodal intervention including patient education, a simple hip exercise program, footwear adjustment, and foot orthoses to reduce symptoms in patients with patellafemoral pain (PFP).

Methods: Patients were diagnosed based on a physical examination, patient symptoms and ruled out intra-articular knee pathologies by MRI. Patients were educated on PFP and participated in a 3-month exercise program; shoes with solid heel-caps were recommended, and custom made orthoses with arch support were recommended to patients with foot pronation. The Anterior Knee Pain Scale (AKPS) and the pain numeric rating scale (NRS) were used to evaluate the outcomes of the intervention and collected at baseline, 3 and 12-months follow-ups.

Results: Sixty-five patients (age 18 years (9-32)) were included in a consecutive prospective cohort. The AKPS score improved from 71 ± 24 to 89 ± 9 (p < 0.01) at 12 months follow up. The NRS-rest and NRS-activity improved from 3 to 0 (p < 0.01) and 7 to 3 (p < 0.01) respectively. 78% of the patients clinically improved (i.e., demonstrated a > 10-point improvement (minimal clinically important difference (MCID))) considering the AKPS; and 76% and 73% clinically improved (i.e., demonstrated (MCID) a ≥ 2-point improvement) in their NRS-rest and NRS-activity, respectively. No patients experienced a decrease in their AKPS score or an increase in their NRS-rest and NRS-activity scores at 12-months.

Conclusion: A 3-month PFP multimodal treatment strategy focusing on patient education, footwear adjustment, orthoses, and simple hip muscle exercises significantly improved functional outcomes and reduced pain at a 12 month follow-up.