Primary Outcome Measures
Although both groups reported reduced
pain by the end of the intervention, we
believe that the decrease of pain at 4
weeks in the hip group, contrasted by
lack of change in the quad group, was
most significant. Performing isolated hip
exercises allowed participants in the hip
group to strengthen the affected hip musculature,
while simultaneously decreasing
pain at the patellofemoral joint, in
preparation for functional exercises. After
4 weeks of rehabilitation, VAS scores
in the hip group lowered by approximately
43%, while the quad group scores
differed by less than 3%. We believe that
initiating PFPS rehabilitation with isolated
quadriceps exercise might have either
promoted existing poor knee extensor
muscle function or further irritated patellofemoral
joint structures through excessive
force and pressure during exercises.