Randomized controlled trial of Protonics on patellar pain, position, and function

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Sports Medicine
• Rehabilitation

Background:

• Patellofemoral pain (PFP) and abnormal patellofemoral congruence (PFC) are prevalent issues in athletes.
• Current treatment strategies for PFP and PFC remain a subject of debate.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of high-volume submaximal knee muscle exercise on objective measures of PFP and PFC.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of this exercise regimen in a test-retest design.

Main Methods:

• 100 subjects were randomized into control and treatment groups.
• Measurements included patellofemoral congruence (PFC) via Merchant x-ray, Kujala patellofemoral score (KPS) for function, and visual analog scale (VAS) for pain.
• The treatment group engaged in submaximal knee exercises during daily activities using a Protonics device for 4 weeks.

Main Results:

• The control group showed no significant changes in PFC, KPS, or VAS.
• The treatment group demonstrated significant improvements in PFC, KPS, and VAS (P < 0.001).
• All subjects in the treatment group experienced enhanced PFC, improved joint function, and reduced PFP.

Conclusions:

• Submaximal knee exercise significantly reduced PFP and PFC compared to the control group.
• A high volume of submaximal knee exercise is a potentially beneficial treatment for patients suffering from PFP and abnormal PFC.