title: Relationship among eccentric hip and knee torques, symptom severity and functional capacity in females with patellofemoral pain syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the relationships between eccentric hip and knee torques, symptom severity and functional capacity in females with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Within-subject correlational study.
  
  
  METHODS
  University biomechanics laboratory.
  
  
  METHODS
  10 females diagnosed with PFPS.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eccentric strength of the hip abductors and lateral rotators, and knee extensors were assessed using an isokinetic dynamometer. A 10-cm visual analog scale was used to determine usual knee pain in the last week. The Anterior Knee Pain Scale (AKPS) was used to determine the functional capacity of the patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study found that the greater the eccentric knee extensor and hip lateral rotator torques, the higher the functional capacity of the patients (p = 0.02, r = 0.72; p = 0.02, r = 0.72). It was also shown that the greater hip lateral rotator torque, the less the usual pain reported in the last week (p = 0.004, r = -0.84). Despite the lack of statistical significance (p = 0.11), it was also found a modest negative relationship between the eccentric knee extensor torque and the usual pain reported in the last week (r = -0.56) that was considered clinically meaningful (d = 1.4).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study showed that eccentric knee extensor and hip lateral rotator torques were associated with functional capacity and pain level in females with PFPS. Further investigations should be carried out to verify the effects of an intervention program focused on the eccentric action of these muscles with respect to the symptoms in patients with PFPS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of São Carlos, Rodovia Washington Luís, Brazil. helissa2000@yahoo.com.br
authors.forename: Theresa Helissa
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Nakagawa
authors.forename: Rodrigo de Marche
authors.initials: Rde M
authors.lastname: Baldon
authors.forename: Thiago Batista
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Muniz
authors.forename: Fábio Viadanna
authors.initials: FV
authors.lastname: Serrão
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000473:pathology* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000473:pathology* / Q000502:physiology; D010147:Pain Measurement; D046788:Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors; D013178:Sports Medicine; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D019415:Torque; D055815:Young Adult