DEVELOPMENT OF A CLINICAL TOOL AND PATIENT QUESTIONNAIRE FOR EVALUATION OF PATELLOFEMORAL PAIN SYNDROME PATIENTS

Objective: To develop an evaluation tool for patellofemoral pain syndr ome (PFPS) patients. Design: Exploratory, descriptive content validati on study. Participants: Convenience sample, three groups of clinicians : 15 sports physical therapists, 9 sports medicine physicians, and 10 physical therapists and physicians with limited experience with PFPS. Selection based on specialization qualifications and experience with P FPS patients. Description of tests: Content validation questionnaire t o determine importance of clinical outcomes in determining change in P FPS patients. Using IO-cm visual analogue scales, reviewers rated the importance of five domains and rated the importance of twenty-one clin ical tests; using a categorical scale, determined appropriateness and clarity of potential patient questionnaire items. Main results: Correl ation values indicated significant correlation (p < 0.01) between pain and functional limitations (r = 0.68) and activity and functional lim itations (I = 0.67), indicating that functional limitation may not be a unique component, but is integrated with pain and activity. A set of five pain questions, twelve function questions and six activity quest ions was developed. No statistical differences (p < 0.05) between the three groups of clinicians for the majority of clinical tests. Statist ical differences (p < 0.05) between the three groups for rating of imp ortance of flexibility of hip flexor and flexibility of gastrocnemius- soleus muscle groups, knee swelling, and radiographs. Good internal co nsistency among the 21 clinical tests (Cronbach's alpha = 0.84). The f ive top rated tests considering mean score values and standard deviati ons: lower extremity alignment, patellar orientation, patellar mobilit y, and flexibility of rectus femoris and tensor fasciae latae muscle g roups. Conclusions: The results provide evidence of content validity f or the components of PFPS evaluation investigated. The findings provid e a basis for design of an evaluation tool for PFPS patients consistin g of patient self-report questionnaire items and clinical tests.