Article

Hip abductors play an important role in maintaining trunk and pelvis stability
during unipedal tasks. The purpose of the study was to compare postural stability
between individuals with patellofemoral pain (PFP)
and pain-free controls. A
secondary purpose was to evaluate the effect of a hip stabilizing brace on
postural stability. Twenty females with PFP (27.3+/-6.3 years) and 19 controls
(26.1+/-4.5 years) participated. Each subject performed a unipedal step-down
balance task with the stance leg on a force platform from which center of
pressure (COP) excursion was recorded. Quantitative COP excursion patterns (mean
and peak displacements) were used as measures of postural stability. For subjects
with PFP, postural stability also was quantified following the application of a
hip stabilizing brace. Hip abductor strength was significantly lower in PFP group
compared to the control group (1.39+/-0.4 vs. 1.62+/-0.26 N/kg-BW, p=0.046). Peak
and mean medial-lateral COP displacements during the balance task were greater in
the PFP group (39.8+/-6.7 vs. 24.3+/-3.8 mm, p<0.001; 24.7+/-16.3 vs. 13.5+/-4.4
mm, p=0.005). Application of the hip stabilizing brace reduced the peak and mean
COP displacement (39.8+/-6.7 vs. 24.7+/-4.7 mm, p<0.001; 24.7+/-16.3 vs.
16.8+/-15.1 mm, p=0.02).
Our results demonstrate that females with PFP exhibit
impaired medial-lateral postural stability when compared to control subjects.
Application of a hip stabilizing brace significantly improved stability to a
level comparable to the controls.
CI - Copyright (c) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS