![]() ![]() Core stability exercises typically focus on strengthening and activating the abdominal muscles, as well as the surrounding muscles, including the spine and hip musculature. Targeting multiple muscles of the core could improve pelvic stability and neuromuscular control down the kinetic chain, minimizing stress on the patellofemoral joint. However, these interventions often omit the other muscles of the lumbopelvic-hip complex that have various attachments to the pelvis. Therefore, advancements to current treatment strategies are warranted to improve the outcomes for these patients.Ĭurrent treatment interventions include targeting the proximal muscles of the hip due to their role in both hip and knee control. ![]() 1 This highlights that PFP is a multifactorial problem, where no single strategy is appropriate for every patient. However, 70% to 90% of patients diagnosed with PFP will have reoccurring symptoms demonstrating the need for more effective long-standing treatment interventions. 6 These interventions demonstrate success in the short term, with improvements in both pain and subjective function. 5 Patients will often complete exercises aimed at strengthening their gluteal and quadriceps muscles. Traditional rehabilitation programs have focused on the knee and hips in hopes of improving neuromuscular control around the knee. 1 While the etiology is unknown, PFP is theorized to be due to increased stress at the patellofemoral joint. 1– 4 PFP is a challenging condition to treat due to multiple contributing factors related to the patient’s functional impairments and potentially causal factors, such as strength, range of motion, or neuromuscular control. 1 PFP is one of the most commonly diagnosed knee conditions, with this phenomenon most often appearing in young, physically active individuals with females being at an increased risk. Patellofemoral pain (PFP) is the common term for general knee pain relating to the front of the knee and around the patella. Strength of Recommendation:The grade of A is recommended based on the Strength of Recommendation Taxonomy. Clinical Bottom Line: There is evidence that supports core stability exercise protocols coupled with traditional rehabilitation as being more effective in reducing pain in patients with PFP when compared to traditional rehabilitation alone. All articles included received a minimum of 6 on the PEDro scale. ![]() The third study examined the effects of a 6-week program where both the intervention and control groups resulted in similar reduction of pain. Two studies investigated a 4-week exercise protocol and demonstrated a greater decrease in pain when compared to the control group. Clinical Question: Are core stability exercises coupled with traditional rehabilitation more effective than only traditional rehabilitation techniques for decreasing pain in patients with PFP? Summary of Key Findings: Three articles met the inclusion criteria and investigated core strengthening exercises as a treatment for PFP. Recently, there has been a growing body of literature supporting the beneficial effects of core stability exercises as a treatment option for PFP. ![]() Traditional treatment focuses on quadriceps and gluteal strengthening with minimal emphasis on deep trunk musculature. PFP is challenging to treat due to a wide range of contributing factors and often has chronic, reoccurring symptoms. Clinical Scenario: Patellofemoral pain (PFP) is characterized by general anterior knee pain around the patella and is one of the most prevalent knee conditions. ![]()
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