Roland Thomeé

Patellofemoral pain syndrome: a review of current issues.

AbstractThere is no clear consensus in the literature concerning the terminology, aetiology and treatment for pain in the anterior part of the knee. The term ‘anterior knee pain’ is suggested to encompass all pain-related problems. By excluding anterior knee pain due to intra-articular pathology, peripatellar tendinitis or bursitis, plica syndromes, Sinding Larsen’s disease,Osgood Schlatter’s disease, neuromas and other rarely occurring pathologies, it is suggested that remaining patients with a clinical presentation of anterior knee pain could be diagnosed with patello-femoral pain syndrome (PFPS). Three major contributing factors of PFPS are discussed: (i) malalignment of the lower extremity and/or the patella; (ii) muscular imbalance of the lower extremity; and (iii) overactivity.The significance of lower extremity alignment factors and pathological limits needs further investigation. It is possible that the definitions used for malalignment should be re-evaluated, as the scientific support is very weak for determining when alignment is normal and when there is malalignment. Consequently, pathological limits must be clarified, along with evaluation of risk factors for acquiring PFPS.Muscle tightness and muscular imbalance of the lower extremity muscles with decreased strength due to hypotrophy or inhibition have been suggested, but remain unclear as potential causes of PFPS. Decreased knee extensor strength is a common finding in patients with PFPS. Various patterns of weaknesses have been reported, with selective weakness in eccentric muscle strength, within the quadriceps muscle and in terminal knee extension. The significance of muscle function in a closed versus open kinetic chain has been discussed, but is far from well investigated. It is clear that further studies are necessary in order to establish the significance of various strength deficits and muscular imbalances, and to clarify whether a specific disturbance in muscular activation is a cause or an effect (or both) of PFPS.The most common symptoms in patients with PFPS are pain during and after physical activity, during bodyweight loading of the lower extremities in walking up/down stairs and squatting, and in sitting with the knees flexed. However, the source of patello-femoral pain in patients with PFPS cannot be sufficiently explained. There are several types of clinical manifestation of pain, and therefore a differentiated documentation of the patient’s pain symptoms is necessary. The connection between strength, pain and inhibition, as well as between personality and pain, needs further investigation.Many different treatment protocols are described in the literature and recent studies advocate a comprehensive treatment approach allowing for an individual and specifically designed treatment. Surgical treatment is rarely indicated.It is strongly suggested that, when presenting studies on PFPS, a detailed description should be provided of the diagnosis, inclusion and exclusion criteria of the patients should be specified along with a detailed methodology, and the conclusions drawn should be compared with those of other studies in the published literature. As this is not the case in most studies on PFPS found in the literature, it is only possible to make general comparisons. In order to further develop treatment models for PFPS we advocate prospective, randomised, controlled, long term studies using validated outcome measures. However, there is a strong need for basic research on the nature and aetiology of PFPS in order to better understand this mysterious syndrome.n

The Influence of Frequency, Intensity, Volume and Mode of Strength Training on Whole Muscle Cross-Sectional Area in Humans

Strength training is an important component in sports training and rehabilitation. Quantification of the dose-response relationships between training variables and the outcome is fundamental for the proper prescription of resistance training. The purpose of this comprehensive review was to identify dose-response relationships for the development of muscle hypertrophy by calculating the magnitudes and rates of increases in muscle cross-sectional area induced by varying levels of frequency, intensity and volume, as well as by different modes of strength training.Computer searches in the databases MEDLINE, SportDiscus® and CJNAHL® were performed as well as hand searches of relevant journals, books and reference lists. The analysis was limited to the quadriceps femoris and the elbow flexors, since these were the only muscle groups that allowed for evaluations of dose-response trends. The modes of strength training were classified as dynamic external resistance (including free weights and weight machines), accommodating resistance (e.g. isokinetic and semi-isokinetic devices) and isometric resistance. The subcategories related to the types of muscle actions used. The results demonstrate that given sufficient frequency, intensity and volume of work, all three types of muscle actions can induce significant hypertrophy at an impressive rate and that, at present, there is insufficient evidence for the superiority of any mode and/or type of muscle action over other modes and types of training. Tentative dose-response relationships for each variable are outlined, based on the available evidence, and interactions between variables are discussed. In addition, recommendations for training and suggestions for further research are given.

Eccentric overload training for patients with chronic Achilles tendon pain – a randomised controlled study with reliability testing of the evaluation methods

The purpose was to examine the reliability of measurement techniques and evaluate the effect of a treatment protocol including eccentric overload for patients with chronic pain from the Achilles tendon. Thirty‐two patients with proximal achillodynia (44 involved Achilles tendons) participated in tests for reliability measures. No significant differences and strong (r=0.56–0.72) or very strong (r=0.90–0.93) correlations were found between pre‐tests, except for the documentation of pain at rest (P<0.008, r=0.45). To evaluate the effect of a 12‐week treatment protocol for patients with chronic proximal achillodynia (pain longer than three months) 40 patients (57 involved Achilles tendons) with a mean age of 45 years (range 19–77) were randomised into an experiment group (n=22) and a control group (n=18). Evaluations were performed after six weeks of treatment and after three and six months. The evaluations (including the pre‐tests), performed by a physical therapist unaware of the group the patients belonged to, consisted of a questionnaire, a range of motion test, a jumping test, a toe‐raise test, a pain on palpation test and pain evaluation during jumping, toe‐raises and at rest. A follow‐up was also performed after one year. There were no significant differences between groups at any of the evaluations, except that the experiment group jumped significantly lower than the control group at the six‐week evaluation. There was, however, an overall better result for the experiment group with significant improvements in plantar flexion, and reduction in pain on palpation, number of patients having pain during walking, having periods when asymptomatic and having swollen Achilles tendon. The controls did not show such changes. Furthermore, at the one‐year follow‐up there were significantly more patients in the experiment group, compared with the control group, that were satisfied with their present physical activity level, considered themselves fully recovered, and had no pain during or after physical activity. The measurement techniques and the treatment protocol with eccentric overload used in the present study can be recommended for patients with chronic pain from the Achilles tendon.

The Achilles Tendon Total Rupture Score (ATRS) Development and Validation

Background There is a need for a patient-relevant instrument to evaluate outcome after treatment in patients with a total Achilles tendon rupture. Purpose To develop and validate a new patient-reported instrument for measuring outcome after treatment for total Achilles tendon rupture. Study Design Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 1. Methods Development of this instrument consisted of item generation and test construction, item reduction, validation, evaluation of structure and internal consistency, test-retest, and test for responsiveness. The final version, the Achilles tendon Total Rupture Score (ATRS), was tested for validity, structure, and internal consistency (Cronbachs alpha) on 82 patients and 52 healthy persons. A correlation analysis was performed of the ATRS with the 2 validated foot/ankle/Achilles tendon scores, the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS) and the Swedish version of the Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment-Achilles questionnaire (VISA-A-S). Structure was evaluated with factor analysis. Test-retest reliability was evaluated on 43 patients. The ATRS responsiveness was tested on 43 patients by calculating the effect size. Results The total score for the patients ranged from 17 to 100 with a mean (median) of 77 (85) and a standard deviation (interquartile range) of 21.4 (23). A significantly (P < .0001) higher total score was found for the healthy subjects, ranging from 94 to 100 with a mean (median) of 99.8 (100) and a standard deviation (interquartile range) of 1.1 (0). The ATRS correlated significantly (P < .01) with all subscales of the FAOS (r = 0.60-0.84) and the VISA-A-S (r = 0.78). The factor analysis gave 1 factor of importance. The internal consistency was 0.96 as measured with Cronbachs alpha. The test-retest produced an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.98. The tests for responsiveness showed an effect size between 0.87 and 2.21. Conclusion The ATRS is a patient-reported instrument with high reliability, validity, and sensitivity for measuring outcome after treatment in patients with a total Achilles tendon rupture. Clinical Relevance The ATRS is a self-administered instrument with high clinical utility, and we suggest the score for measuring the outcome, related to symptoms and physical activity, after treatment in patients with a total Achilles tendon rupture.

A test battery for evaluating hop performance in patients with an ACL injury and patients who have undergone ACL reconstruction

The purpose of this study was to develop a test battery of hop tests with high ability to discriminate (i.e. high test–retest reliability, sensitivity, specificity and accuracy) between the hop performance of the injured and the uninjured side in patients with an ACL injury and in patients who have undergone ACL reconstruction. Five hop tests were analysed: three maximum single hop tests and two hop tests while developing fatigue. Fifteen healthy subjects performed the five hop tests on three separate occasions in a test–retest design. Thirty patients, mean 11xa0months after an ACL injury and 35 patients, mean 6xa0months after ACL reconstruction were tested. ICC values ranged from 0.85 to 0.97 for the five hop tests, indicating that all the tests had high test–retest reliability. Sixty-seven percent to 100% of the healthy subjects had normal symmetry (i.e. <10% side-to-side difference) in the five hop tests. Abnormal symmetry in the five hop tests ranged from 43 to 77% for patients with an ACL injury and from 51 to 86% for patients who had undergone ACL reconstruction respectively. The three tests with the highest ability to discriminate hop performance were chosen for the test battery; they were the vertical jump, the hop for distance and the side hop. The test battery revealed a high level of sensitivity and accuracy in patients with an ACL injury (87 and 84%) and in patients who had undergone ACL reconstruction (91 and 88%), when at least one of the three tests was classified as abnormal. To summarise, the test battery consisting of both maximum single hop performances: the vertical jump and the hop for distance and hop performance while developing fatigue: the side hop, produced high test–retest reliability, sensitivity and accuracy. Further, the test battery produced higher values compared with any of the three hop tests individually revealing that only one out of ten patients had restored hop performance 11xa0months after an ACL injury and 6xa0months after ACL reconstruction. It is concluded that this test battery showed a high ability to discriminate between the hop performance of the injured and the uninjured side both in patients with an ACL injury and in patients who have undergone ACL reconstruction.

Muscle strength and hop performance criteria prior to return to sports after ACL reconstruction.

PurposeThe purpose of this article is to present recommendations for new muscle strength and hop performance criteria prior to a return to sports after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.MethodsA search was made of relevant literature relating to muscle function, self-reported questionnaires on symptoms, function and knee-related quality of life, as well as the rate of re-injury, the rate of return to sports and the development of osteoarthritis after ACL reconstruction. The literature was reviewed and discussed by the European Board of Sports Rehabilitation in order to reach consensus on criteria for muscle strength and hop performance prior to a return to sports.ResultsThe majority of athletes that sustain an (ACL) injury do not successfully return to their pre-injury sport, even though most athletes achieve what is considered to be acceptable muscle function. On self-reported questionnaires, the athletes report high ratings for fear of re-injury, low ratings for their knee function during sports and low ratings for their knee-related quality of life.ConclusionThe conclusion is that the muscle function tests that are commonly used are not demanding enough or not sensitive enough to identify differences between injured and non-injured sides. Recommendations for new criteria are given for the sports medicine community to consider, before allowing an athlete to return to sports after an ACL reconstruction.Level of evidence IV.

Patellofemoral pain syndrome in young women. I. A clinical analysis of alignment, pain parameters, common symptoms and functional activity level.

Clinical alignment, pain variables, common symptoms and functional activity level associated with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) were evaluated in 40 women with PFPS and 20 healthy controls. No significant difference could be found neither between the patients most symptomatic knee and least symptomatic knee, nor between the patients and controls regarding clinical lower extremity alignment, such as Q‐angle and leg‐heel alignment measurements. There were no radiographic signs of malalignment. The patients were significantly more involved competitively in sports but had a significantly lower pain free activity level than the controls. Pain was associated with increased activity. It is suggested that chronic overloading and temporary overuse of the patellofemoral joint, rather than malalignment, contribute to patellofemoral pain.

Acute Achilles Tendon Rupture A Randomized, Controlled Study Comparing Surgical and Nonsurgical Treatments Using Validated Outcome Measures

Background There is no consensus regarding the optimal treatment for patients with acute Achilles tendon rupture. Few randomized controlled studies have compared outcomes after surgical or nonsurgical treatment with both groups receiving early mobilization. Purpose This study was undertaken to compare outcomes of patients with acute Achilles tendon rupture treated with or without surgery using early mobilization and identical rehabilitation protocols. Study Design Randomized, controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1. Methods Ninety-seven patients (79 men, 18 women; mean age, 41 years) with acute Achilles tendon rupture were treated and followed for 1 year. The primary end point was rerupturing. Patients were evaluated using the Achilles tendon Total Rupture Score (ATRS), functional tests, and clinical examination at 6 and 12 months after injury. Results There were 6 (12%) reruptures in the nonsurgical group and 2 (4%) in the surgical group (P = .377). The mean 6- and 12-month ATRS were 72 and 88 points in the surgical group and 71 and 86 points in the nonsurgical group, respectively. Improvements in ATRS between 6 and 12 months were significant for both groups, with no significant between-group differences. At the 6-month evaluation, the surgical group had better results compared with the nonsurgically treated group in some of the muscle function tests; however, at the 12-month evaluation there were no differences between the 2 groups except for the heel-rise work test in favor of the surgical group. At the 12-month follow-up, the level of function of the injured leg remained significantly lower than that of the uninjured leg in both groups. Conclusion The results of this study did not demonstrate any statistically significant difference between surgical and nonsurgical treatment. Furthermore, the study suggests that early mobilization is beneficial for patients with acute Achilles tendon rupture whether they are treated surgically or nonsurgically. The preferred treatment strategy for patients with acute Achilles tendon rupture remains a subject of debate. Although the study met the sample size dictated by the authors’ a priori power calculation, the difference in the rerupture rate might be considered clinically important by some.

Continued Sports Activity, Using a Pain-Monitoring Model, During Rehabilitation in Patients With Achilles Tendinopathy A Randomized Controlled Study

Background Achilles tendinopathy is a common overuse injury, especially among athletes involved in activities that include running and jumping. Often an initial period of rest from the pain-provoking activity is recommended. Purpose To prospectively evaluate if continued running and jumping during treatment with an Achilles tendon-loading strengthening program has an effect on the outcome. Study Design Randomized clinical control trial; Level of evidence, 1. Methods Thirty-eight patients with Achilles tendinopathy were randomly allocated to 2 different treatment groups. The exercise training group (n = 19) was allowed, with the use of a pain-monitoring model, to continue Achilles tendon-loading activity, such as running and jumping, whereas the active rest group (n = 19) had to stop such activities during the first 6 weeks. All patients were rehabilitated according to an identical rehabilitation program. The primary outcome measures were the Swedish version of the Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment—Achilles questionnaire (VISA-A-S) and the pain level during tendon-loading activity. Results No significant differences in the rate of improvements were found between the groups. Both groups showed, however, significant (P < .01) improvements, compared with baseline, on the primary outcome measure at all the evaluations. The exercise training group had a mean (standard deviation) VISA-A-S score of 57 (15.8) at baseline and 85 (12.7) at the 12-month follow-up (P < .01). The active rest group had a mean (standard deviation) VISA-A-S score of 57 (15.7) at baseline and 91 (8.2) at the 12-month follow-up (P < .01). Conclusions No negative effects could be demonstrated from continuing Achilles tendon-loading activity, such as running and jumping, with the use of a pain-monitoring model, during treatment. Our treatment protocol for patients with Achilles tendinopathy, which gradually increases the load on the Achilles tendon and calf muscle, demonstrated significant improvements. A training regimen of continued, pain-monitored, tendon-loading physical activity might therefore represent a valuable option for patients with Achilles tendinopathy.

Single-leg hop testing following fatiguing exercise: reliability and biomechanical analysis

A fatiguing exercise protocol was combined with single‐leg hop testing to improve the possibilities of evaluating the effects of training or rehabilitation interventions. In the first test–retest experiment, 11 healthy male subjects performed two trials of single‐leg hops under three different test conditions: non‐fatigued and following fatiguing exercise, which consisted of unilateral weight machine knee extensions at 80% and 50%, respectively, of 1 repetition maximum (1 RM) strength. Intraclass correlation coefficients ranged from 0.75 to 0.98 for different hop test conditions, indicating that all tests were reliable. For the second experiment, eight healthy male subjects performed the fatiguing exercise protocol to investigate how fatigue influences lower‐extremity joint kinematics and kinetics during single‐leg hops. Hip, knee and ankle joint angles, moments and powers, as well as ground‐reaction forces were recorded with a six‐camera, motion‐capture system and a force platform. Recovery of hop performance following the fatiguing exercise was also measured. During the take‐off for the single‐leg hops, hip and knee flexion angles, generated powers for the knee and ankle joints, and ground‐reaction forces decreased for the fatigued hop conditions compared with the non‐fatigued condition (P<0.05). Compared with landing during the non‐fatigued condition, hip moments and ground‐reaction forces were lower for the fatigued hop conditions (P<0.05). The negative joint power was two to three times greater for the knee than for the hip and five to 10 times greater for the knee than for the ankle during landing for all test conditions (P<0.05). Most measured variables had recovered three minutes post‐exercise. It is concluded that the fatiguing exercise protocol combined with single‐leg hop testing was a reliable method for investigating functional performance under fatigued test conditions. Further, subjects utilized an adapted hop strategy, which employed less hip and knee flexion and generated powers for the knee and ankle joints during take‐off, and less hip joint moments during landing under fatigued conditions. The large negative power values observed at the knee joint during the landing phase of the single‐leg hop, during which the quadriceps muscle activates eccentrically, indicate that not only hop distance but also the ability to perform successful landings should be investigated when assessing dynamic knee function.