Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome: Results of a Home Exercise Program Versus Isokinetic Exercise Program on Functional Capacity

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the difference between a home exercise programversus an isokinetic concentric quadriceps-hamstring exercise program interms of functional capacity for the treatment of patients withpatellofemoral pain syndrome.Material and Methods: This randomized study included 32 patients (39painful knees) with patellofemoral pain. The patients were allocated intwo groups as home exercise (HEG, n=14) and isokinetic exercise programgroups (IEP, n=18). They were given an exercise program of 3 weeks. Thefunctional status was examined with the Kujala scale, and knee musclepower was examined with the concentric isokinetic muscle test at 60 ve180 degrees/sc torque velocities.Results: A progression in Kujala score was observed within both groups,HEG and IEP, before and after the treatment. There was no differencewith respect to improvement level between groups. In the assessmentwithin the group before and after the treatment, including isokineticmuscle parameters, 60 degrees/s angular velocity extension peak torque,flexion peak torque, agonist/antagonist ratio, 180 degrees/s angularvelocity flexion peak torque and agonist/antagonist ratio, flexion totalwork of IEG, 180 degrees/s angular velocity extension total work, andflexion total work parameters of IEP were observed to be statisticallysignificant. In the assessment between the groups, 60 degrees/s angularvelocity agonist/antagonist ratio and 180 degrees/s angular velocityflexion total work were found to be significantly in favor of the IEPgroup.Conclusion: The isokinetic exercise program, despite being better inparameters of strengthening and endurance, was found to be similar withthe home exercise program in clinical outcome in patients withpatellofemoral pain.