BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is one of the commonest disorders affecting knee joint. This study aimed at evaluating symptoms and functional limitations of PFPS patients. METHOD: Participated in this study 26 PFPS patients (PFPSG) and 31 clinically healthy patients (CG), paired by age, height and body mass. Evaluation cards and Kujala questionnaire were applied. Then patients went through two functional tests: crouching, climbing and descending a step for 30 seconds, in addition to being oriented to walk 8 m in a leveled surface, to climb and descend a stair and a ramp, and such activities were randomly performed. Pain intensity was evaluated through the visual analog scale (VAS) before and after each activity. Wilcoxon and U Mann-Whitney tests were used for statistical analysis, considering significant p = 0.05. RESULTS: The PFPS group had lower scores (75.8 ± 11.8) in Kujala questionnaire, as compared to the C group (100 ± 0.0) (p = 0.001). From 26 PFPS patients, 23 reported pain when crouching, 18 when climbing or descending stairs, 25 when kneeing, 14 when running, 16 when sitting for a long period and 9 when practicing sports. Pain intensity by VAS has confirmed such statements with pain exacerbation after crouching (p = 0.001), climbing and descending a step (p = 0.001), walking on a leveled surface (p = 0.01), climbing and descending a stair ( p = 0.001) and ramp (p = 0.01) in patients with PFPS. CONCLUSION: PFPS may lead to pain and functional limitations which impair daily life activities.
Causalgia; Knee; Patellofemoral pain syndrome
