REHABILITATION OF PATELLOFEMORAL JOINT DISORDERS - A CRITICAL-REVIEW

Patellofemoral pain is one of the most common knee disorders seen in o rthopaedic practice. Despite its high incidence, treatment of this dis order remains controversial. Traditionally, nonoperative management of patellofemoral pain has focused on restoring normal patellar tracking by improving dynamic stability. Of particular interest to clinicians has been the vastus medialis oblique, which has been implicated as bei ng the primary medial stabilizer of the patella. Although emphasis on the vastus medialis oblique continues to be the mainstay of conservati ve care of patellofemoral pain, there exists considerable disagreement between research outcomes and clinical practice. This article critica lly reviews the current literature concerning the treatment of patello femoral pain with respect to the vastus medialis oblique, taping, and bracing, as well as various forms of therapeutic exercise, and relates these findings to the prevailing views regarding the management of th is disorder.