Medial contact and smaller plantar loads characterize individuals with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome during stair descent.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate plantar pressure distribution in individuals with and without Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome during the support phase of stair descent.


METHODS
Observational case-control study.


METHODS
30 young adults with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome and 44 matched controls.


METHODS
Contact area, peak pressure and pressure-time integral (Novel Pedar-X system) were evaluated in six plantar areas (medial, central and lateral rearfoot; midfoot; medial and lateral forefoot) during stair descent.


RESULTS
Contact area was greater in the Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome Group at medial rearfoot (p = 0.019) and midfoot (p < 0.001). Subjects with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome presented smaller peak pressures (p < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
The pattern of plantar pressure distribution during stair descent in Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome subjects was different from controls. This seems to be related to greater medial rearfoot and midfoot support. Smaller plantar loads found in Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome subjects during stair descent reveal a more cautious motor pattern in a challenging task.
Aliberti
Sandra
S
Laboratory of Biomechanics of the Human Movement and Posture, Physical Therapy, Speech and Occupational Therapy Department, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. aliberti@usp.br
Costa
Mariana S X
MS
Passaro
Anice C
AC
Arnone
Antonio C
AC
Sacco
Isabel C N
IC
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint; D035002:Lower Extremity; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D046788:Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011187:Posture; D012307:Risk Factors; D016138:Walking; D016474:Weight-Bearing; D055815:Young Adult