Analysis of Hip Strength in Females Seeking Physical Therapy Treatment for Unilateral Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

Ryan L. Robinson, Robert J. Nee

The objective of this cross sectional study was to investigate whether females seeking physical therapy treatment for unilateral patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) exhibit deficiencies in hip strength compared to a control group.  Decreased hip strength may be associated with poor control of lower extremity motion during weight-bearing activities, leading to abnormal patellofemoral motions and pain.  Twenty females aged 12-35 years participated in the study. Ten subjects with unilateral PFPS were compared to 10 control subjects with no known knee pathologies.  The symptomatic limbs of subjects with PFPS exhibited impairments in hip strength for all variables tested. LSI values in subjects with PFPS (range, 71%-79%) were significantly lower than those in control subjects (range, 93%-101%) (P?.007). A secondary analysis of data normalized to body mass demonstrated that the symptomatic limbs of subjects with PFPS had 52% less hip extension strength (P‹.001), 27% less hip abduction strength (p=.007), and 30% less hip external rotation strength (P=.004) when compared to the weaker limbs of control subjects. The study concluded that Females aged 12-35 presenting with unilateral PFPS demonstrate significant impairments in hip strength compared to control subjects.

J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2007,37(5),232-238.

Link to Abstract.

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