Strengthening of the Hip and Core
Versus Knee Muscles for the Treatment of Patellofemoral Pain: A Multicenter,
Randomized Controlled Trial
Versus Knee Muscles for the Treatment of Patellofemoral Pain: A Multicenter,
Randomized Controlled Trial
Ferber
R, Bolgla L, Earl-Boehm JE, Emery C, & Hamstra-Wright K. Journal of Athletic Training. 2014. 40(3):
Epub ahead of print.
R, Bolgla L, Earl-Boehm JE, Emery C, & Hamstra-Wright K. Journal of Athletic Training. 2014. 40(3):
Epub ahead of print.
Take Home Message: A randomized
clinical trial revealed that 6 week rehabilitation protocols focusing on either
hip/core or knee strengthening both improve symptoms associated with
patellofemoral pain.
clinical trial revealed that 6 week rehabilitation protocols focusing on either
hip/core or knee strengthening both improve symptoms associated with
patellofemoral pain.
Patellofemoral
pain (PFP) is a chronic and debilitating condition that affects many physically
active individuals. Hip and core
strengthening in combination with knee strengthening has proven to be
successful in managing PFP. However, no
one has compared a PFP rehabilitation program focused on hip-core exercises
with a program focused on knee exercises. The authors of this randomized
clinical trial tested if either rehabilitation program was better for managing
PFP. The authors screened over 700
people and identified 199 recreationally active individuals who had knee pain
for at least 4 weeks and several other criteria for PFP. The authors assessed the
199 PFP patients for self-reported worst pain in previous week (visual analogue
scale), self-reported physical function (anterior knee pain scale), muscular
strength (hip abduction, internal and external rotation, knee extension), and
core muscular endurance (front-plank and side-bridge exercises, and
horizontal-extension test). Participants
completed self-reported outcomes at pre-rehabilitation, weekly, and
post-rehabilitation while muscular strength and endurance measures were only
assessed pre- and post-rehabilitation.
The participants were randomized to either a traditional knee
rehabilitation program or a hip and core focused rehabilitation program (see
link above for rehab protocol). At the
final follow-up, 146 participants completed the study. Both rehabilitation
protocols had approximately 80% success rates based on improved symptoms;
however individuals in the hip/core protocol showed an improvement 1 week
earlier than individuals in the knee protocol.
Individuals in the hip/core protocol also had greater increases in hip
abduction and extensor strength than individuals in the knee protocol. Individuals in both rehabilitation groups
showed increases in posterior core endurance (horizontal-extension test).
pain (PFP) is a chronic and debilitating condition that affects many physically
active individuals. Hip and core
strengthening in combination with knee strengthening has proven to be
successful in managing PFP. However, no
one has compared a PFP rehabilitation program focused on hip-core exercises
with a program focused on knee exercises. The authors of this randomized
clinical trial tested if either rehabilitation program was better for managing
PFP. The authors screened over 700
people and identified 199 recreationally active individuals who had knee pain
for at least 4 weeks and several other criteria for PFP. The authors assessed the
199 PFP patients for self-reported worst pain in previous week (visual analogue
scale), self-reported physical function (anterior knee pain scale), muscular
strength (hip abduction, internal and external rotation, knee extension), and
core muscular endurance (front-plank and side-bridge exercises, and
horizontal-extension test). Participants
completed self-reported outcomes at pre-rehabilitation, weekly, and
post-rehabilitation while muscular strength and endurance measures were only
assessed pre- and post-rehabilitation.
The participants were randomized to either a traditional knee
rehabilitation program or a hip and core focused rehabilitation program (see
link above for rehab protocol). At the
final follow-up, 146 participants completed the study. Both rehabilitation
protocols had approximately 80% success rates based on improved symptoms;
however individuals in the hip/core protocol showed an improvement 1 week
earlier than individuals in the knee protocol.
Individuals in the hip/core protocol also had greater increases in hip
abduction and extensor strength than individuals in the knee protocol. Individuals in both rehabilitation groups
showed increases in posterior core endurance (horizontal-extension test).
This
study provides support that either rehabilitation program provides relatively
successful PFP relief. The authors noted
that exercises included in either group do not truly isolate strengthening to
the involved joint since the muscles typically cross both joints. The findings of this study show that a mix of
the exercises can be done, however, that the hip/core protocol improved hip abduction
and extensor strength better than the knee protocol. Given that the patients in the hip/core group
improved 1 week earlier, it may be advantageous as clinicians to focus on
hip/core strengthening early in the rehabilitation process for more immediate
relief. This finding supports the
consensus of earlier posts that we have had on SMR indicating that hip strengthening improves PFP and that it improves it more quickly than quadriceps strengthening. While either
protocol was deemed unsuccessful in approximately 20% of the participants in
either group, it would be interesting to see or understand why it was
unsuccessful. The information gathered on
the participants who had unsuccessful outcomes may help us identify key
variables or predict the likelihood of success in either protocol. Ultimately as clinicians, rehabilitation is
key for reducing limitations and symptoms caused by PFP, but the debate seems
to continue on which muscles to target. It
is important to identify each patient’s deficits and to tailor a program to
meet those needs. This may entail hip-, core-, and knee-focused exercises. This
study suggests that on average a patient with PFP may benefit from any of these
types of exercises and that incorporating hip and core exercises early may be
advantageous. Hence, this can offer us a road map to how we treat the patient
sitting across from us.
study provides support that either rehabilitation program provides relatively
successful PFP relief. The authors noted
that exercises included in either group do not truly isolate strengthening to
the involved joint since the muscles typically cross both joints. The findings of this study show that a mix of
the exercises can be done, however, that the hip/core protocol improved hip abduction
and extensor strength better than the knee protocol. Given that the patients in the hip/core group
improved 1 week earlier, it may be advantageous as clinicians to focus on
hip/core strengthening early in the rehabilitation process for more immediate
relief. This finding supports the
consensus of earlier posts that we have had on SMR indicating that hip strengthening improves PFP and that it improves it more quickly than quadriceps strengthening. While either
protocol was deemed unsuccessful in approximately 20% of the participants in
either group, it would be interesting to see or understand why it was
unsuccessful. The information gathered on
the participants who had unsuccessful outcomes may help us identify key
variables or predict the likelihood of success in either protocol. Ultimately as clinicians, rehabilitation is
key for reducing limitations and symptoms caused by PFP, but the debate seems
to continue on which muscles to target. It
is important to identify each patient’s deficits and to tailor a program to
meet those needs. This may entail hip-, core-, and knee-focused exercises. This
study suggests that on average a patient with PFP may benefit from any of these
types of exercises and that incorporating hip and core exercises early may be
advantageous. Hence, this can offer us a road map to how we treat the patient
sitting across from us.
Questions for Discussion: Do
you find yourself focusing on hip or knee musculature when dealing with
PFP? Are there any other factors that
you focus on during your rehabilitation programs?
you find yourself focusing on hip or knee musculature when dealing with
PFP? Are there any other factors that
you focus on during your rehabilitation programs?
Written
by: Nicole Cattano
by: Nicole Cattano
Reviewed
by: Jeffrey Driban
by: Jeffrey Driban
Related Post:
Ferber, R., Bolgla, L., Earl-Boehm, J., Emery, C., & Hamstra-Wright, K. (2014). Strengthening of the Hip and Core Versus Knee Muscles for the Treatment of Patellofemoral Pain: A Multicenter, Randomized Controlled Trial Journal of Athletic Training DOI: 10.4085/1062-6050-49.3.70
I think my typical approach to patellofemoral pain includes strategies from both rehab protocols described here. In addition to strengthening exercises, I would often address any faulty movement patterns that the patient does routinely, or any soft tissue tightness that could contribute to patellar maltracking. Since both protocols in this study provided benefit to slightly different outcome measures, it might be interesting to do a crossover study design to follow this study to evaluate if there is added benefit to using aspects of both protocols, or include a third study group that completes both exercise protocols together.
Ada – I think a crossover study is a great idea. Faulty movement patterns are key – and may be an interesting covariate to try to control for or to identify and try to correct with rehabilitation programs.
Rahul Katbamna:
I really enjoyed this article because instead of just viewing hip strengthening as a primary focus in reducing symptoms, the core was finally involved. It was also great to see the comparison between a knee strengthening protocol and a hip/core strengthening protocol. There definitely has been benefits to decreasing symptoms of PFP at a faster/earlier time.
I think that broadening the focus of these rehabilitation protocols with regards to patellofemoral pain is a great idea, due to the nature of the pathology and the numerous potential causes of the injury. However, I don’t think that we can really say that we should choose one or the other. Rehabilitation for injury, in my opinion should be more individualized and impairment focused rather than just saying, lets follow the same protocol for everyone, when not all patients or injuries are the same. I think that the results of this study show that both are effective and it is our job as health care providers and rehabilitation specialists to determine the right application for these principles.
I absolutely agree Kyle that rehabilitation programs should be individualized and impairment focused. However – I dont' think this article is stating to "do the same thing" but more of a remember to include these AREAS with some freedom inside of that recommendation to individualize.