Evaluation of soft foot orthotics in the treatment of patellofemoral pain syndrome

Department of Kinesiology, University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE. The effectiveness of soft foot orthotics in the treatment of patients who have patellofemoral pain syndrome was investigated. SUBJECTS. Subjects were 20 adolescent female patients, aged 13 to 17 years (mean = 14.8, SD = 1.2), who were diagnosed with patellofemoral pain syndrome and who exhibited excessive forefoot varus or calcaneal valgus. METHODS. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of two groups: a control group (n = 10), which took part in an exercise program, or a treatment group (n = 10), which used soft foot orthotics in addition to participating in the exercise program. The exercise program consisted of quadriceps femoris and hamstring muscle strengthening and stretching exercises. A visual analogue scale was used to assess the level of pain of the subjects over an 8-week period. RESULTS. Both the treatment and control groups demonstrated a significant decrease in the level of pain, but the improvement of the treatment group was significantly greater than that of the control group. CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION. The results suggest that in addition to an exercise program, the use of soft foot orthotics is an effective means of treatment for the patient with patellofemoral pain syndrome.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				Y Thijs, D De Clercq, P Roosen, and E Witvrouw Gait-related intrinsic risk factors for patellofemoral pain in novice recreational runners Br. J. Sports Med., June 1, 2008; 42(6): 466 - 471. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				I. Hetsroni, A. Finestone, C. Milgrom, D. B. Sira, M. Nyska, D. Radeva-Petrova, and M. Ayalon A prospective biomechanical study of the association between foot pronation and the incidence of anterior knee pain among military recruits J Bone Joint Surg Br, July 1, 2006; 88-B(7): 905 - 908. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. Witvrouw, L. Danneels, D. Van Tiggelen, T. M. Willems, and D. Cambier Open Versus Closed Kinetic Chain Exercises in Patellofemoral Pain: A 5-Year Prospective Randomized Study Am. J. Sports Med., July 1, 2004; 32(5): 1122 - 1130. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. G Sutlive, S. D Mitchell, S. N Maxfield, C. L McLean, J. C Neumann, C. R Swiecki, R. C Hall, A. C Bare, and T. W Flynn Identification of Individuals With Patellofemoral Pain Whose Symptoms Improved After a Combined Program of Foot Orthosis Use and Modified Activity: A Preliminary Investigation Physical Therapy, January 1, 2004; 84(1): 49 - 61. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. Witvrouw, R. Lysens, J. Bellemans, K. Peers, and G. Vanderstraeten Open Versus Closed Kinetic Chain Exercises for Patellofemoral Pain: A Prospective, Randomized Study Am. J. Sports Med., September 1, 2000; 28(5): 687 - 694. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				E. Witvrouw, R. Lysens, J. Bellemans, D. Cambier, and G. Vanderstraeten Intrinsic Risk Factors For the Development of Anterior Knee Pain in an Athletic Population: A Two-Year Prospective Study Am. J. Sports Med., July 1, 2000; 28(4): 480 - 489. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. Arroll, E. Ellis-Pegler, A. Edwards, and G. Sutcliffe Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome: A Critical Review of the Clinical Trials on Nonoperative Therapy Am. J. Sports Med., March 1, 1997; 25(2): 207 - 212. [Abstract] [PDF]