The relationship between quadriceps strength and joint position sense, functional outcome and painful activities in patellofemoral pain syndrome

The objective of this study was to investigate how strongly the concentric and eccentric quadriceps strengths were associated with the joint position sense, functional outcomes and painful activities in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). The study was comprised of forty-six women diagnosed with unilateral PFPS. Eccentric and concentric quadriceps strengths were recorded at 60 and 180°/s. Active knee joint position sense (JPS) was measured at 20° and 60° of flexion. Functional levels were determined by using Kujala patellofemoral scores. Pain levels during stair descending and ascending, squatting and prolonged sitting were measured using 0-10 cm visual analogue scale. The relationship of isokinetic quadriceps strength with JPS results, Kujala score and pain levels were evaluated using Spearman’s correlation coefficient test. Eccentric and concentric quadriceps strengths were significantly lower on involved side than uninvolved side. JPS results were poorer on the painful knee when compared to uninvolved side. While eccentric strength correlated with both JPS target angles, concentric strength was correlated only with 20°. Both eccentric and concentric strengths showed significant correlation with Kujala scores and pain levels.

Quadriceps eccentric strength was correlated more to joint position sense than concentric strength. Both eccentric and concentric quadriceps strength were associated with pain and functional level in PFPS patients.