A comparison of hip strength between sedentary females with and without patellofemoral pain syndrome.
METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


OBJECTIVE
To compare the hip strength of sedentary females with either unilateral or bilateral patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) to a control group of sedentary females of similar demographics without PFPS.


BACKGROUND
It has been suggested that hip muscle weakness may be an important factor in the etiology of young female athletes with PFPS. This syndrome is also common in sedentary females and it is unclear if similar findings of hip weakness would be present in this population.


METHODS
Females between 15 and 40 years of age (control group, n = 50; unilateral PFPS, n = 21; bilateral PFPS, n = 29) participated in the study. Strength for all 6 hip muscle groups was measured bilaterally on all subjects using a handheld dynamometer.


RESULTS
The hip musculature of sedentary females with bilateral PFPS was statistically weaker (range, 12%-36%; P<.05) than that of the control group for all muscle groups. The hip abductors, lateral rotators, flexors, and extensors of the injured side of those with unilateral PFPS group were statistically weaker (range, 15%-20%; P<.05)than that of the control group, but only the hip abductors were significantly weaker when compared to their uninjured side (20%; P<.05).


CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrates that hip weakness is a common finding in sedentary females with PFPS.
Magalhães
Eduardo
E
Federal University of São Paulo, Orthopaedic and Traumatologic Department, São Paulo, Brazil. dumagalhaesfisio@hotmail.com
Fukuda
Thiago Yukio
TY
Sacramento
Sylvio Noronha
SN
Forgas
Andrea
A
Cohen
Moisés
M
Abdalla
Rene Jorge
RJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D053580:Muscle Strength; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D046788:Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology*; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D055815:Young Adult