Etiology and Exercise Treatment of Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

Abstract

Objective: As a result of peripatellar pain or anatomical or biomechanical anomalies in the anterior knee, patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a knee injury that can be made worse by weight-bearing activities like climbing and descending stairs. According to long-term follow-up studies, patellofemoral arthritis may eventually develop in 45% of PFPS patients who do not receive prompt and efficient treatment in the early stages, causing irreparable harm that may significantly impair the patient's quality of life. In order to prevent injuries, enhance daily life activities and athletes' sporting performance, it is important that we understand the mechanism and exercise treatment of PFPS. Methods: We reviewed the China Knowledge Network (CNKI) and PubMed life science database, searched for the terms "patellofemoral pain syndrome," "patellar tenderness," "running knee," and "anterior knee pain," and summarized the pertinent research. Results: Its cause is still unknown, and its etiology is complicated, with the main contributing factors being poor lower extremity function, decreased muscle strength, lack of flexibility, and impaired neuromuscular control. The majority of exercise therapy currently performed includes training the hip, knee, core, retraining the gait, and blood flow restriction training. The impact of the condition may depend on quick and efficient interventions. Conclusion: Exercise therapy had the strongest evidence base, particularly for the positive effects of either single hip or knee muscle strength training or a combination of the two, according to systematic evaluations that came to conclusions about the effectiveness of interventions. However, there was insufficient evidence to determine the ideal form of training and long-term effects. Contrarily, there is still scant evidence to support interventions such as gait retraining, blood flow restriction training, and core stability training. When it comes to selecting a course of treatment, a combination of treatments is typically advised and chosen in accordance with the precise evaluation of the patient's condition.