Patellofemoral Syndrome Treatment & Management

Physical Therapy

The basic exercise principles for management of patellofemoral syndrome (PFS) are restoring muscle balance within the quadriceps group, improving range of motion, and restricting the offending physical activity. Quadriceps strengthening traditionally is performed while the knee is flexed 0-30°. Controversy remains regarding the extent to which the individual muscle groups making up the quadriceps can selectively be strengthened. Usually, the lateral forces of the vastus lateralis need to be countered better by the vastus medialis. This goal is accomplished best by strengthening all of the quadriceps.

Stretching of the quadriceps should be of long duration (20-30 seconds) and performed with low force. This technique allows for overcoming neural and connective tissue barriers to lengthening. Exercises to stretch the iliotibial band, hip, hamstring, and calf also are important for patients with PFS. Manual stretching of the lateral retinaculum may be used as a conservative approach, partially mimicking the effect of lateral retinacular release. Physical therapists should educate patients about home exercise programs that include stretching and strengthening exercises.

Syme et al found that selective and general physical therapy are valuable for the rehabilitation of patients with patellofemoral syndrome (PFS).^[8] In a prospective, single-blind, randomized, controlled trial, 8 weeks of physical therapy—which in one group of patients selectively emphasized retraining of the vastus medialis, and in another group, emphasized general strengthening of the quadriceps—proved superior to the provision of no treatment, for pain reduction and improvement in subjective function and quality of life. The investigators suggested that selective physical therapy may be appropriate early in rehabilitation.

Ice packs frequently are used to decrease pain and inflammation associated with this condition, especially after completing the exercises. Other modalities that may be useful and commonly are incorporated into physical therapy include electrical stimulation and biofeedback.

Patellar taping techniques are used in patients with PFS to reduce the friction on the patella. Many physical therapists are trained in the McConnell method of taping of the knee. Some patients report reduction of pain when wearing the tape. Some individuals report that the taping allows them to complete more functional quadriceps-strengthening activities without anterior knee pain. If successful, the physician or physical therapist can teach the patient self-taping techniques to use at home.

Proper footwear also is important for individuals with PFS. The physical therapist can evaluate the patient's biomechanics and recommend proper shoes and orthoses, which in turn can lessen knee pain.

Foot orthoses are often of benefit in returning the subtalar joint to a nearly neutral position; this reduces foot pronation, thereby decreasing rotational forces in the tibia that affect tracking of the patella during locomotion.^[9] Improvement in quality of life measures has been demonstrated following provision of custom orthoses to individuals with PFS and excessive foot pronation.

One study compared the effectiveness of off-the-shelf foot orthoses in the treatment of PFS pain with that of either flat inserts or physical therapy; the report also investigated whether the combined use of orthoses and physical therapy is more effective than the employment of physical therapy alone.^[9] The prospective, single-blind, randomized trial utilized 179 patients (including 100 women) between ages 18 and 40 years.

By 6 weeks, patients using orthoses had experienced greater improvement than had persons using flat inserts, but the orthotic group had experienced no significant difference in improvement over patients treated with physical therapy or with a combination of orthoses and physical therapy. By 52 weeks, a significant improvement in patellofemoral pain had occurred in all of the patient groups.

Another study focused on identifying individuals with PFS who would most likely benefit from foot orthoses. The determination was that patients who had 3 of the following clinical predictors were most likely to benefit: footwear motion control properties score of less than 5 (indicating less supportive footwear), lower levels of pain (< 22 mm), ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (< 41°), and reduced single-leg squat pain when wearing the orthoses.^[10]

Soft knee braces may also be of benefit to patients with PFS. Bracing involves control of the tracking position of the patella and restriction of full knee flexion. Braces vary in the manner in which the patella is restricted (eg, patellar window, patellar bar, patellar horseshoe), but they accomplish the same theoretical result. Braces that are tightly applied directly over the patella should be avoided, because they actually increase patellofemoral pressures and may exacerbate the condition.

Occupational Therapy

Recommend a change in activity level or the ergonomics of the offending activity until the symptoms of patellofemoral syndrome are under control. Activities that require repetitive squatting are a good example. The task or sport may need to be modified to reduce the frequency of squatting, or the patient may need to choose an alternate occupation or recreational activity. Occupational therapists can be of assistance when reviewing the ergonomics of the environment in which symptoms occur with individual patients.

Recreational Therapy

Introducing alternative recreational pursuits and means of fitness may be of benefit in alleviating symptoms of patellofemoral syndrome when conservative measures are not effective. Modifications in recreational pursuits may need to be only temporary measures if other conservative measures are effective.

Most symptoms of patellofemoral syndrome resolve with simple measures. As with many exercise routines, patients often fail to adhere to the exercise prescription, producing treatment results that appear to be refractory but which are actually caused by the fact that the therapeutic approach has not been given a fair trial. Follow-up studies suggest that more than 95% of persons who are compliant with treatment have results that are acceptable or better.

Surgical intervention for patellofemoral syndrome usually is in the form of arthroscopic evaluation followed by release of the lateral attachments of the patella. Most authors agree that surgical treatment rarely is indicated. Arthroscopy has been cited as assisting the physician with clinical diagnoses; however, the visualization procedure, in and of itself, does not significantly help the symptoms of patellofemoral pain.^[11]

• Surgical procedures performed for patellofemoral arthritis include lateral facetectomy and patellar resurfacing.
• Follow-up evaluations long after anterior advancement of the tibial tuberosity suggest limited results with this procedure.
• Research on cartilage transplantation is being performed. Additional surgical options may be added in the future.
• Arthroscopic drilling of osteochondral defects allows healing of the defect with fibrocartilage. This procedure routinely is performed. This form of cartilage is not of the normal type but provides for an improved surface compared to an osteochondral defect.

Management of patellofemoral syndrome overlaps many specialties. When necessary, consider consultation to answer specific questions regarding refractory response to treatment or optimization of treatment approaches.

Knee pain secondary to defined degenerative changes may be relieved by injecting the joint with steroid or synthetic hyaluronic acid. Such management of patellofemoral syndrome is rare. Injection may be used when many symptoms result from disruption of the joint surface and when all other reasonable measures have failed.