Knee Alignment-Oriented Balance Exercises Versus Conventional Balance Exercises in Treating Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

Abstract

Background: Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is the most prevalent musculoskeletal disorder encountered by orthopedic physical  therapists and one of the primary reasons for pain in the anterior part of the knee. Balance and Function of the knee may be affected in  patients with PFPS due to pain and abnormal lower limb alignment.

Aim: to investigate and compare the effects of knee-alignment- oriented balance exercises and conventional balance exercises in patellofemoral pain syndrome patients with dynamic knee valgus.  

Patients and Methods: Thirty-four patients were diagnosed with PFPS with dynamic knee valgus and were divided into group A: received  knee alignment-oriented balance exercises while the other group B received conventional balance exercises. Dynamic knee- valgus throughout a Single-Legged Drop Jump test was measured via two-dimensional video analysis with the Kinovea software. Pain  severity was assessed via a visual analog scale. Proprioception was assessed via dynamic postural stability with the Biodex Stability  System (Biodex balance system).

Results: there was no statistically substantial difference among both groups concerning VAS as well as  dynamic postural stability with (p-value>0.05) but for each group, there was a substantial decline in VAS (p=0.0001), as well as for dynamic  posture stability, there was no substantial difference except the significant decrease in Anterior/Posterior Index (p=0.014) of the  knee alignment-oriented balance group.

Conclusion: There was no significant difference between the knee alignment-oriented  balance group and the conventional balance group regarding pain intensity and dynamic postural stability. However, both exercises were  helpful in improving pain, and only knee alignment-oriented balance improved proprioception.