title: Is There a Biomechanical Link Between Patellofemoral Pain and Osteoarthritis? A Narrative Review.
abstract: The patellofemoral (PF) joint is the knee compartment most commonly affected by osteoarthritis (OA). Even mild PF OA is associated with considerable pain and functional limitations. Despite its prevalence and impact, little is understood of the etiology or structural and functional features of PF OA. The clinical symptoms of PF OA, such as anterior knee pain during stair ambulation and squatting, share many similarities with PF pain in adolescents and young adults. PF joint OA is most commonly diagnosed in people aged >40 years, many of whom report a history of PF pain. As such, there is growing evidence that PF pain and PF OA form a continuum of disease. This review explores the possible relationship between the presence of PF pain and the development of PF OA. We review the evidence for altered neuromotor control and biomechanical factors that may be associated with altered PF loading in people with PF pain and PF OA. In doing so, we highlight similarities and differences that may evolve along the continuum. By improving our understanding of the neuromotor and biomechanical links between PF pain and PF OA, we may highlight potential targets for new rehabilitation strategies.
authors.affiliation: Division of Physiotherapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia.
authors.forename: Narelle
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Wyndow
authors.affiliation: Division of Physiotherapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia.|Department of Mechanical Engineering, Melbourne School of Engineering, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Natalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Collins
authors.affiliation: Division of Physiotherapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia.
authors.forename: Bill
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Vicenzino
authors.affiliation: School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia.
authors.forename: Kylie
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tucker
authors.affiliation: Division of Physiotherapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia. k.crossley@latrobe.edu.au.|Level E, Office of Allied Health, HS3|05, School of Allied Health, College of Science, Health and Engineering, Latrobe University, Plenty Road and Kingsbury Drive, Bundoora, Melbourne, VIC, 3086, Australia. k.crossley@latrobe.edu.au.
authors.forename: Kay
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Crossley
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010146:Pain; D057071:Patellofemoral Joint / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011859:Radiography; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D016474:Weight-Bearing