Author(s): Paul Daniel VK, Pruthviraj R and Shwetha SS

Abstract:

The aim of the study was to compare the efficacy of Short Arc Quadriceps Exercise With and Without EMG Biofeedback in Patients with Patellofemoral Dysfunction. Patellofemoral joint disorder and pain syndrome are one of the most common musculoskeletal pathologies treated by the orthopedic and sport medicine clinicians; yet the success rate of nonoperative therapy varies significantly. McConnell reports one in four of the general population have patellofemoral pain. Conservative treatment of patellofemoral pain syndrome is focused on restoring normal patellar tracking by improving dynamic stability of particular interest to the clinicians has been the vastus medial is oblique [VMO], it has been implicated as the primary medial stabilizer of the patella. ⁷.Short arc quadriceps exercises strengthen the VMO which helps in restoring normal patellar tracking. EMG biofeedback can be given to reinforce muscle contraction. Biofeedback may be useful as an adjunct to conventional therapy. Biofeedback may be useful for re-education of muscle^. So this study aims to compare the efficacy of short arc quadriceps exercises with and without EMG biofeedback in strengthening VMO and reducing pain in patient with patellofemoral dysfunction. Thirty patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome were randomly placed into 2 groups: Group A (n _ 15) and a Group B (n _ 15). Group A received short arc Quadriceps exercises along with Electromyographic biofeedback whereas the Group B received only short arc quadriceps exercise for a duration of 6 weeks. VMO strength were assessed by Electronic dynamometer and Pain by a visual analog scale(VAS) on first day and after 6 weeks of intervention. VMO strength improved significantly compared with the pre-treatment values in both groups. Mean VMO strength values in the experimental group, were significantly higher than those of the control group. Significant improvements in VAS score were seen in both groups, but Mean VAS score showed no differences between the groups. The study demonstrated that there was a significant increase of VMO strength with EMG biofeedback but the reduction of pain was similar in both groups. EMG biofeedback can be used as an adjunct in improving VMO strength in patients with patella-femoral dysfunction.

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