Comparison of knee functional ability and static and dynamic postural control between female handball players with patellofemoral pain and healthy female handball players

The aim of this study was to compare knee functional ability and static and dynamic postural control in healthy female handball players and female handball players with patellofemoral pain.
This non-experimental and case-control study included 25 female handball players with PFP syndrome and 25 healthy female handball players. WOMAC scale and universal goniometer were used for assessment of knee function and range of motion of the knee joint. We used Sharpend Romberg and SEBT tests for measurement of static and dynamic postural control. Using SPSS version 21, data were analyzed by kolmogorov-Smirnov and independent t –tests. p ≤ 0.05 was considered significant.
Knee function was significantly weaker in the patients with PFP than the healthy control group (P=0.001). In PFP group, flexion range of motion was significantly more (P=0.002) and extension range of motion (P=0.005), static postural control (P=0.001) and dynamic postural control in posterior (P=0.002), posterolateral (P=0.001), lateral (P=0.001) and anterolateral (P=0.006) directions were significantly less than those in the healthy subjects. But, there were no significant differences between the two groups in relation to dynamic postural control in anterior, anteromedial, medial and posteromedial directions (P>0.05).
Negative changes in knee functional ability and static postural control and dynamic postural control in lateral and posterior directions in the women with PFP, can be attributed to weakness and atrophy of the knee anteromedial muscles or stiffness of the knee posterolateral muscles. Hence, in rehabilitation of PFP patients, the strengthening of the anteromedial muscles and stretching of the posterolateral muscles of the knee should be considered essential.