Correlation of lower limb muscles strength and flexibility with pain and function in females with Patellofemoral Pain

Reduced strength and flexibility of lower limb muscles have been proposed as contributing factors to Patellofemoral Pain (PFP). However, relationship of muscle strength and flexibility with pain and function in people with PFP is not well recognized, yet. The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation of lower limb muscles strength and flexibility with pain and function in females with PFP.
In this cross-sectional study 35 females with PFP and 35 matched healthy females participated. Muscle strength, muscle flexibility, and pain were assessed using a dynamometer, an inclinometer, and visual analog scale, respectively. In this account,Kujalla questionnaire and step-down test were used to determine the function. The data were analyzed using an independent t -test, Pearson correlation test and stepwise regression.
There were significantly lower strength of the knee extensors, the knee flexors, the hip abductors and lateral rotators in the PFP group as compared to the healthy group (P lower limb muscles strength in females with PFP is significantly less than a healthy matched group. Qquadriceps muscle flexibility and the hip abductor muscles strength may predict Kujalla and step-down scores in females with PFP, respectively