McConnell Patellar Taping in Static and Dynamic Postural Control of Women With Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

This is a randomized controlled trial and blind in the exercise area, postural control and biomechanics.

The subjects with a clinical diagnosis of PFPS will be allocated in two groups: PFPS group with rigid bandage patella (n = 15) and PFPS group with placebo (n = 15).

Procedures: The subjects with a clinical diagnosis of PFPS, will be forwarded to the evaluation protocols. The data collections will be held at University Hospital Physiotherapy Division of the State University of Londrina. Individuals respond to a questionnaire to characterize the sample, EVA and fill the patellofemoral disorders Scale (AKPS).

Data Collection Protocol: will be held to familiarize themselves with the equipment and tests to be used on the force platform and test sitting and standing, voluntary is inserted in one of the groups (PPS + B or PPS + P) through randomisation previously established by www.random.org and stored in opaque and sealed envelopes.

Following the participants carry out, random and drawn at the time way, the static and dynamic tests on the force platform:

Static: The volunteers will stay 30 seconds in one-leg position of the lower limb with pain with the knee flexed and contralateral suspended to about 90; the test will be performed three times, with one minute of sitting home. Participants will be instructed to keep aligned and torso upright during the test and stay as long as possible with most of the plantar region touching the ground. Will be targeted to fix the look upon in a pre-established and pasted on the wall point.

Dynamic Squat: The volunteers will perform three consecutive repetitions of squat exercise, controlled between about 0 ° to 45 ° of knee flexion in the lower limb with pain. The contralateral leg should be suspended and flexed to 90 °, the activity will be performed three times, with one minute rest in the sitting position between each repetition. Participants will be instructed to keep aligned and torso upright during the test and stay as long as possible with most of the plantar region touching the ground. Will be targeted to fix the look upon in a pre-established and pasted on the wall point.

Dynamic Up and Down Stairs: The force platform will be positioned at 20 cm from the ground on a wooden structure. The front is combined with a second step, also with 20 cm high from the first step, simulating a staircase with two steps of 20 cm each. Voluntary perform the functional activity of climbing the two steps, starting the first step with the leg with pain to support the platform. The activity will be carried out three consecutive times, with rest of a seated minute, and then the voluntary hold the decline in two steps, with lower limb support with pain on the platform, also performed by three consecutive times.

The average of the three repetitions of each activity (static and dynamic) will be used for postural control analysis (COP parameters) for each variable to be analyzed.

Inclusion criteria

• Clinical diagnosis of patellofemoral dysfunction issued by a specialist orthopedic knee and provide anterior knee pain of 3 or more on the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for a minimum of 8 weeks prior to evaluation;
• Previous retropatellar pain or knee, for at least 3 of the following: up / down stairs, squatting, running, kneeling, sitting for long periods and insidious onset of symptoms unrelated to trauma.

Exclusion criteria

• History of severe / traumatic knee injury, surgery history in the locomotor system;
• Patellar luxation history; clinical evidence of meniscus injury; ligamentous instability; patellar tendinitis.
• Presence of neurological, cardiovascular or rheumatologic diseases; pregnancy; diabetes,
• Abnormal sensitivity in the plantar;
• Medication and / or therapy in the last six months and hypersensitivity or allergy to tape.