Is quadriceps dysfunction common in individuals with patellofemoral pain?
Overview:
Knee pain is a common complaint in young active females. Physiotherapy improves pain and physical function but treatment is not always effective; a possible reason for this is that the causes of knee pain are not well understood. A better understanding of how leg muscle activation changes when people develop knee pain may contribute to improvements in rehabilitation for knee pain.
Objectives:
To assess if front thigh muscle activation is different in people with knee pain compared to people without knee pain.
Who can participate?
We are currently recruiting females aged 19-35 years old, either with or without knee pain. Participants will be classified as having knee pain if: they have had moderate pain around the knee cap for at least 1 month; and if this pain is aggravated by activities such as running, climbing stairs, squatting, kneeling, sitting with the knee bent. Participants will be considered in the control group if they have never had knee pain (pain for at least 1 week that limits your activities in the last 12 months). Individuals who have had major medical problems, surgery, or other injuries such as ligament tears or severe ankle sprains will not be able to participate.
What is required?
You will be asked to attend a single session at UBC, not longer than 2½ hours. You will wear shorts and perform some movements similar to exercises commonly prescribed by physiotherapists.
If you are interested to participate in the study, please fill out the screening form below. Please, contact Alessio Gallina (alessio.gallina@ubc.ca) if you have any questions.