Biomechanical factors associated with patellofemoral pain in children and adolescents

Abstract

To investigate the biomechanical factors associated with patellofemoral pain in children and adolescents. A cross-sectional, population-based study conducted in Brazil from 2019 to 2023, involving students from public schools. Adjusted prevalence ratios and their respective 95% confidence intervals for the outcome in relation to independent variables were calculated for association analysis, adopting a significance level of 5%. Out of the total of 283 students, 152 were female and 182 were aged between 16 and 18 years old. A positive association was observed between the presence of patellofemoral pain and a poor movement quality in both lower limbs (right side: p = 0.04 and left side: p = 0.04) as well as with dynamic valgus of the left lower limb (p < 0.01). Patellofemoral pain in children and adolescents is associated with poor movement quality in the lower limbs and dynamic valgus of the left lower limb. Actions targeting these biomechanical factors may be crucial for early diagnosis and clinical treatment of this disfunction.