Mobilization-with-movement prior to exercise provides early pain and functionality improvements in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome

Abstract

AbstractObjectivesPatellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a common musculoskeletal dysfunction presenting with pain at the anterior aspect of the knee joint. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether implementation of mobilization-with-movement (MWM) prior to hip or knee exercises can achieve early pain and functional ability improvements in patients with PFPS.MethodsFifteen males and 25 females, 18–40 years of age with PFPS, were randomly assigned into three treatment groups. Patients in Groups A and B received MWMs for 1 week and performed either hip or knee exercises, respectively, for five more weeks. Physiotherapeutic modalities were implemented for 6 weeks in patients of Group C, who served as control. Pain and function was measured pre-intervention, post-MWM application, and post-intervention, using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS).ResultsThe study revealed significantly improved post-MWM VAS and LEFS scores compared to pre-intervention score...