Date of Award

2015

Document Type

Scholarly Project

Degree Name

Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)

Department

Physical Therapy

First Advisor

Thomas Mohr

Keywords

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome -- rehabilitation; Case Reports

Abstract

Background and Purpose: Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS) is one of the most common lower extremity disorders reported, with a higher prevalence among females and in active individuals. While quadriceps strengthening has generally been the chosen treatment approach, some studies have pointed to the importance and influence of the hip musculature. Patients with PFPS commonly present with decreased posterolateral strength, specifically in the hip abductors, hip extensors, and hip external rotators.

Case Description: The patient was a 13-year-old thin-framed female who was referred to physical therapy after dislocating her right patella during a twisting motion in dance class.

Interventions: Based on the patient's diagnosis and examination findings, a plan of care was developed to address the patient's impairments and functional limitations with a focus on proximal hip musculature strengthening.

Outcomes: The patient demonstrated improvements in clinically meaningful impairments, including knee ROM, lower extremity strength and flexibility, proprioceptive awareness, and overall function.

Discussion/Conclusion: This case report describes the rehabilitation process of a young female patient with PFPS who responded well to a strengthening program with the primary focus on hip musculature strengthening. Positive results were achieved in this case without focus on commonly used intervention strategies. These results support recent research that has shown proximal hip musculature strengthening in patients with PFPS to be superior and more efficient than historically used treatment approaches.

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