title: Q-angle in patellofemoral pain: relationship with dynamic knee valgus, hip abductor torque, pain and function.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the relationship between the q-angle and anterior knee pain severity, functional capacity, dynamic knee valgus and hip abductor torque in women with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS).
  
  
  METHODS
  This study included 22 women with PFPS. The q-angle was assessed using goniometry: the participants were positioned in dorsal decubitus with the knee and hip extended, and the hip and foot in neutral rotation. Anterior knee pain severity was assessed using a visual analog scale, and functional capacity was assessed using the anterior knee pain scale. Dynamic valgus was evaluated using the frontal plane projection angle (FPPA) of the knee, which was recorded using a digital camera during step down, and hip abductor peak torque was recorded using a handheld dynamometer.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The q-angle did not present any significant correlation with severity of knee pain (r = -0.29; p = 0.19), functional capacity (r = -0.08; p = 0.72), FPPA (r = -0.28; p = 0.19) or isometric peak torque of the abductor muscles (r = -0.21; p = 0.35).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The q-angle did not present any relationship with pain intensity, functional capacity, FPPA, or hip abductor peak torque in the patients with PFPS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy, Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil; Department of Physiotherapy, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.
authors.forename: Gabriel Peixoto Leão
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Almeida
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy, Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ana Paula de Moura Campos Carvalho E
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy, Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Fábio Jorge Renovato
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: França
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy, Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maurício Oliveira
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Magalhães
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy, Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Thomaz Nogueira
authors.initials: TN
authors.lastname: Burke
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy, Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Amélia Pasqual
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Marques
keywords: Knee; Manual strength dynamometer; Patellofemoral pain syndrome