Popliteus Muscle Release Versus Patellofemoral Mobilization in Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: Popliteus Muscle Release, Patellofemoral Mobilization, traditional therapy.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome. Basic parameters: 18 years — 30 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- Center list to be confirmed — check the primary protocol.
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
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Overview
This study will be conducted to compare the effect of popliteus muscle release and patellofemoral mobilization on pain intensity, function, and quadriceps muscle strength in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome?
Detailed description
The gradual development of diffuse anterior knee pain is characteristic of patellofemoral pain (PFP), which is made worse by activities that put stress on the patellofemoral joint, such as running, stair climbing, and squatting. While 23% of the overall population has PFP, athletes can have a prevalence of 35%.Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a widespread disease with a significant impact on society, with a 22.7% prevalence in the general population.The patella is the largest sesamoid bone in the body and acts as a fulcrum to improve the mechanical advantage of the quadriceps. In full knee extension the patella does not articulate with the femoral condyles, and related to the lack of articular congruency, is able to glide more freely. The inferior patellar facet first contacts the femoral condyle around 20-30o of knee flexion.The popliteus tendon is a primary stabilizer of external knee rotation and has been described as the "fifth ligament of the knee." Injuries involving the posterolateral corner of the knee commonly involve the popliteus tendon; isolated injury to the popliteus tendon is relatively rare and usually involves a rotatory injury mechanism and symptoms of instability and pain.Myofascial release has been shown to improve pain, range of motion, and functional outcomes in individuals with knee disorders. By targeting fascial restrictions around the quadriceps, hamstrings, iliotibial band, and peri-patellar tissues, myofascial techniques help reduce tissue stiffness and abnormal tension that may contribute to altered patellar tracking and joint loading.Patellofemoral mobilization is considered an important intervention in the management of PFPS, particularly in patients presenting with pain, stiffness, or altered patellar tracking.Although both techniques are used to reduce anterior knee pain and improve function, current evidence is insufficient to determine which intervention is more effective. Therefore, further randomized controlled trials are needed to compare their effects on pain and functional outcomes in individuals with PFPS.
Interventions
- Other Popliteus Muscle Release
the participant will lie supine and relaxed on a treatment bench. The therapist will begin the treatment by flexing the participant's knee to approximately 15-25 degrees. Then, the therapist will apply pressure to the popliteus muscle while simultaneously extending the knee to approximately 5 degrees of flexion. When the knee is extended, the pressure will be released. The therapist will repeat this procedure for up to 2 minutes plus tradional therapy - Other Patellofemoral Mobilization
Following the clinical guidelines established by Brukner and Khan, the mobilization will be performed with the patient in a supine position to ensure complete relaxation of the quadriceps musculature, thereby minimizing joint compressive forces. The intervention will include multidirectional glides tailored to specific functional deficits:Superior glides,Inferior glides,Medial-lateral excursions and tilt mobilization.Each mobilization will be applied as a gentle sustained glide for duration of 3 - Other traditional therapy
patients will receive quadriceps muscle strength, hip extension strength, hamstring stretch.
Primary outcome measures
- pain intensity [Time frame: up to four weeks]
Secondary outcome measures (2)
- knee disability [Time frame: up to four weeks]
- quadriceps muscle strength [Time frame: up to four weeks]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- Male and female participants aged 18-30 years.
- minimum history of 3 months of unilateral PFP.
- pain intensity score of ≥3 on a 10-cm Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for worst pain experienced during the previous week.
- Pain reproduced during at least two of the following functional activities: stair ascent or descent, running, hopping, prolonged sitting, squatting, or kneeling.
- Presence of pain on at least one of the following clinical tests: patellar compression test or palpation of the patellar facets.
Exclusion criteria
- Clinical, x-ray, or MRI findings indicative of other specific pathology including osteoarthritis, meniscal, ligament or cartilage injury, apophysitis.
- Recurrent patellar subluxation or dislocation.
- Cortisone use over an extended period of time.
- Previous surgery to the knee joint; trauma to the knee joint affecting the presenting clinical condition.
- Lower limb deformities.
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: No
Study design
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Model
- Parallel assignment
- Masking
- Single blind
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
Study locations
Center list to be confirmed — check the primary protocol.
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07698704 · P.T.REC/012/006557