The presence of multiple effective interventions
creates a dilemma for clinicians
treating patients with PFPS. It is
unclear whether initial hip or quadriceps
strengthening will better prepare patients
for more functional lower extremity exercises,
particularly if functional activities
cannot be initiated immediately or are
not initially tolerated in some patients.
Despite the growing evidence suggesting
the importance of hip strength in the
rehabilitation of PFPS, few, if any, randomized
clinical trials have attempted
to compare the benefit of isolated hip to
isolated quadriceps strengthening prior
to weight bearing or functional exercises.
Therefore, the purpose of this study was
to compare the effects of hip strengthening
to quadriceps strengthening prior to
weight-bearing exercises in the treatment
of females with PFPS.