A COMPARISON OF CLINICAL AND HOME-BASED PHYSIOTHERAPY IN MIDDLE AGED PATIENTS WITH LATERAL PATELLAR COMPRESSION SYNDROME

V. Bayrakci Tunay, S. Tunay , G. Baltaci , N. Ergun Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Hacettepe University, Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara, TurkeyObjectives: To determine and compare the effects of clinical and home-based physiotherapy treatment programmes in middle-aged patients with lateral patellar compression syndrome.Materials and results: Forty subjects (mean age 38.3±8.11y, range, 31-55y) were participated in this study. Clinical-based physiotherapy group (n=20) received, Ice, neuromuscular electrical stimulation, patellar taping and exercises. Home-based exercise group received ice and exercises (n=20). Treatment programmes were composed of 5 days a week for 4 weeks/20 sessions. Pain intensity was assessed with visual analogue scale (VAS), self-reports were recorded by using Cincinnati knee activity scale, and functional tests included timed up and go (TUG) test and stair climbing (SC), Sulcus angle, congruence angle and patellar tilt obtained from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Q angle was measured with the goniometer.Results: Significant improvements were seen after the treatment in all tests in clinical-based physiotherapy group (p<0.05). No significant differences were seen in MRI measurements and Q angle in home-based exercise group after treatment (p>0.05). Clinical-based physiotherapy group results were significantly better than home-based exercise group (p<0.05).Conclusion: Both clinical and home-based physiotherapy programmes were improved joint symptoms and function in patients with lateral patellar compression syndrome. Clinical-based physiotherapy was composed of an individual treatment by the supervised of a physiotherapist and it was more effective than the home-based exercises.Citation: Ann Rheum Dis, volume 65, supplement II, year 2006, page 237Session: Back pain, mechanical muskuloskelatal problems, local soft tissue disorders