Thijs Y, Tiggelen DV, Roosen P, Clercq DD, Witvrouw E
The objective of this study was to prospectively determine gait-related risk factors for patellofemoral pain. Eighty-four officer cadets (65 men, 19 women) who were without a history of any knee or lower-leg complaints, participated in the study. Before the start of the 6-week basic military training period, plantar pressure measurements during walking were performed. During the basic military training period, patellofemoral complaints were diagnosed and registered by a sports medicine physician. During the 6-week training period, 36 subjects developed patellofemoral pain (25 male and 11 female). Analysis revealed that subjects who developed patellofemoral pain had a significantly more laterally directed pressure distribution at initial contact of the foot, a significantly shorter time to maximal pressure on the fourth metatarsal, and a significantly slower maximal velocity of the change in lateromedial direction of the center of pressure during the forefoot contact phase. The authors conclude that the feet of the persons who developed anterior knee pain have a heel strike in a less pronated position and roll over more on the lateral side compared with the control group. The results of this study can be considered valuable in identifying persons at risk for patellofemoral pain.
Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine, 2007, 17(6):437-445