Medial contact and smaller plantar loads characterize individuals with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome during stair descent

Aliberti, Sandra; Costa, Mariana S.X.; Passaro, Anice C.; Arnone, Antonio C.; Sacco, Isabel C.N.

doi:10.1016/j.ptsp.2009.11.001

« Previous Next »Physical Therapy in Sport
Volume 11, Issue 1 , Pages 30-34, February 2010

Medial contact and smaller plantar loads characterize individuals with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome during stair descent

Sandra Aliberti
- Laboratory of Biomechanics of the Human Movement and Posture, Physical Therapy, Speech and Occupational Therapy Department, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
- Corresponding author. Laboratory of Biomechanics of the Human Movement and Posture, Physical Therapy, Speech and Occupational Therapy Department, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Rua:Cipotânea, 51, Cidade Universitária, 05360-160 São Paulo, SP, Brazil. Tel.: +55 11 3091 7459; fax: +55 11 3091 7462.
Mariana S.X. Costa
- Laboratory of Biomechanics of the Human Movement and Posture, Physical Therapy, Speech and Occupational Therapy Department, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
Anice C. Passaro
- Laboratory of Biomechanics of the Human Movement and Posture, Physical Therapy, Speech and Occupational Therapy Department, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
Antonio C. Arnone
- Orthopedics Clinic, University Hospital, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
Isabel C.N. Sacco
- Laboratory of Biomechanics of the Human Movement and Posture, Physical Therapy, Speech and Occupational Therapy Department, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

Received 18 June 2009; received in revised form 26 October 2009; accepted 9 November 2009. published online 14 December 2009.

Abstract

Objectives

To investigate plantar pressure distribution in individuals with and without Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome during the support phase of stair descent.

Design

Observational case–control study.

Participants

30 young adults with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome and 44 matched controls.

Main outcome measures

Contact area, peak pressure and pressure–time integral (Novel Pedar-X system) were evaluated in six plantar areas (medial, central and lateral rearfoot; midfoot; medial and lateral forefoot) during stair descent.

Results

Contact area was greater in the Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome Group at medial rearfoot (p = 0.019) and midfoot (p < 0.001). Subjects with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome presented smaller peak pressures (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The pattern of plantar pressure distribution during stair descent in Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome subjects was different from controls. This seems to be related to greater medial rearfoot and midfoot support. Smaller plantar loads found in Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome subjects during stair descent reveal a more cautious motor pattern in a challenging task.

Keywords: Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome, Biomechanics, Lower extremity, Plantar pressure