Evaluation of lumbopelvic stabilization in patellofemoral pain syndrome

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of lumbopelvic stabilization in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFAS). The study was carried out in Acıbadem Kayseri Hospital Orthopedics and Traumatology Clinic on 28 patients aged between 18 and 45 years who were diagnosed with PFPS and 28 healthy individuals. After recording the sociodemographic characteristics of the individuals, the muscle thicknesses of Musculus Transversus Abdominis (MTrA) and Musculus Multifidus Lumborum (MML), static and dynamic endurance of the trunk muscles were measured by ultrasonography (USG) for each person in the PFAS and control groups. Pain was evaluated with the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and functionality was evaluated with the Kujala patellofemoral score (KPFS). At the end of the study, it was determined that the right and left, MTrA and MML muscle thicknesses of the individuals in the control group were symmetrical and statistically similar during rest and contraction (p>0,05). There was no statistically significant difference between the MTrA and MML muscle thicknesses of the individuals in the PFAS group, on the right and left, at rest and during contraction (p>0,05). A statistically significant difference was found between the MTrA and MML muscle thicknesses of the individuals in the PFAS and control groups during the right, resting and contraction periods (p<0,01). A statistically significant difference was found between the MTrA and MML muscle thicknesses of the individuals in the PFAS and control groups during left, rest and contraction (p<0,01). Statistically significant differences were found between the dynamic trunk endurance of the individuals in the FAS and control groups (p<0,001). Statistically significant differences were found between the static trunk endurances of the individuals in the FAS and control groups (p<0,001). This study showed that lumbopelvic stability was affected when individuals with PFAS and healthy individuals were compared. Considering that lumbopelvic stability may be affected in PFAS rehabilitation, interventions supporting lumbopelvic stabilization can be added to treatment programs. Keywords: patellofemoral pain syndrome, lumbopelvic stabilization, pain, trunk endurance tests