Influence of Medial Wedge Support on Pain and Function in Patients with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

Abstract
Background: Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS) is a common complaint in athletes and populations which described as a dull and aching pain in anterior or retropatellar area in absence of other pathology. It is commonly believed that main problems of PFPS are pain and also impaired knee function.
Aim of Study: To investigate the efficacy of medial wedge support on pain relief and functional improvement in patients with PFPS.
Material and Methods: Thirty patients (10 females and 20 males) aged between 18-35 years were assigned randomly into two equal groups. Experimental group (A): Included 15 patients were treated with hip abductors and lateral rotators strengthening exercises in addition to wearing medial wedge support whereas control group (B): Included 15 patients were treated with only hip abductors and lateral rotators strength-ening exercises. Anterior knee function was measured by Anterior Knee Pain Scale (AKPS) and pain intensity was measured by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) in both groups before and after 12 successive sessions over six weeks.
Results: The findings of this study indicated a significant decrease in VAS and significant improvement in AKPS after treatment in comparison to before treatment values in both groups A and B. Post-treatment comparison of both groups showed statistically significant difference with better improve-ment in group A and p=0.0018 for AKPS and p=0.0004 for VAS.
Conclusion: The obtained results suggest that using medial wedge support together with the hip abductors and lateral rotators strengthening exercises have proved to be more beneficial in decreasing pain intensity and improving functional level in Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS) patients.