Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome and Pain Severity Is Associated With Asymmetry of Gluteus Medius Muscle Activation Measured Via Ultrasound

Objective The aim of the study was to determine whether gluteus medius muscle thickness or activation differed between left and right sides and was associated with patellofemoral pain presence or severity. Design Males and females were recruited and screened by a physiotherapist for inclusion in the control or patellofemoral pain syndrome group. Bilateral measures were obtained for Q angle and gluteus medius muscle thickness at rest and on contraction via standing hip external rotation, using ultrasound. Muscle activation was calculated as the percentage change in muscle thickness on contraction relative to at rest. Patellofemoral pain syndrome participants completed the anterior knee pain scale and a visual analog pain scale. Results Gluteus medius muscle thickness at rest and on contraction, muscle activation, and Q angle were not different between control (n = 27, 63% female) and patellofemoral pain syndrome (n = 27, 59% female) groups. However, patellofemoral pain syndrome participants had a significantly larger left-right side imbalance in gluteus medius muscle activation than controls (15.9 ± 19.3% vs. 4.4 ± 21.9%, P
Source: American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation - Category: Rehabilitation Tags: Original Research Articles Source Type: research