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No link found between hip abduction strength asymmetry, early stages of patellofemoral pain syndrome
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Results from this blinded case-controlled study showed hip abduction strength asymmetry was not correlated with early stages of unilateral patellofemoral pain syndrome in female runners.
Researchers included 21 female runners with early unilateral patellofemoral pain syndrome who had not yet sought medical attention and ran at least 10 miles a week and compared them with 36 control female runners. Investigators used a handheld dynamometer to test the hip abduction strength. With the patient in the neutral side-lying position, investigators also measured leg-length discrepancy.
A physical examination of the knee was performed using the Lachman test, anterior drawer test, varus and valgus stress test, medial and lateral joint line palpation, McMurray test and patellar border palpation. The Hip Strength Asymmetry Index was used to assess hip abduction strength differences in the patellofemoral pain syndrome group compared with the control group.
Results from HSAI showed there was no difference between the patellofemoral pain syndrome and control groups with regard to hip abduction asymmetry when tested in both the neutral position and the extended hip position. According to researchers, the hip abduction strength was significantly stronger in the affected knee of participants in patellofemoral pain syndrome group compared with the weaker limb in the controls. When testing hip in the extended position, there was no significant difference in hip abduction strength between groups. ‒ by Monica Jaramillo
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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