By Nicole Wetsman
A study published in the January 2018 issue of the Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy presents new insights and evidence-based suggestions into the addition of hip strengthening to knee strengthening for people with patellofemoral pain (PFP). Indeed, the combination of hip strengthening and knee strengthening has shown to be superior to knee strengthening alone, according to the findings.
The authors of the study conducted a systematic review of 14 trials comprising 673 subjects with PFP. They found that an intervention of hip and knee strengthening not only reduced pain in the subjects but enabled them to return to physical activity. Moreover, benefits of hip and knee strengthening continued after physical therapy was completed.
Source
Nascimento LR, Teixeira-Salmela LF, Souza RB, Resende RA. Hip and knee strengthening is more effective than knee strengthening alone for reducing pain and improving activity in individuals with patellofemoral pain: a systematic review with meta-analysis. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2018;48(1):19-31.
