Efficacy of training lumbosacral stability for patellofemoral pain syndrome

The patellofemoral pain syndrome is an entity with a spectrum of patellofemoral
joint disorders. One of these disorders is the medial traction syndrome, where
the medial retinaculum and/or medial edge of the patella is painful. The cause
of this pain is traction on the medial retinaculum with inadequate activity of
the patellofemoral joint. Good posture and stability of the femur are essential
for stability and function of the patellofemoral joint. Stability of the femur
primarily requires lumbosacral/core stability and is eventually stabilised by
the m. quadriceps. Inadequate lumbosacral stability can give an unstable
patellofemoral joint and therefore patellofemoral pain. Through training of the
lumbosacral stability the patellofemoral joint will have more stability.
Improvement of lumbosacral stability will reduce pain and improve function of
the patellofemoral joint

Is exercise therapy of the lumbosacral stability more effective than exercise
therapy of the m. quadriceps?

Randomised prospective trial. Patients recruited within sports and orthopaedic
medical practice, diagnosed patellofemoral pain syndrome, will be treated in
one of two groups.
One group will receive exercise therapy focused on lumbosacral stability. The
other group will receive exercise therapy focused on the m. quadriceps. Both
groups will receive exercise therapy during 8 weeks, 2 times a week.

both groups will be receiving exercise therapy during 8 weeks. One group will
train de m. quadriceps, the other group will train the lumbosacral stability.

the patient will receive exercise therapy during 8 weeks. This burden will be
the same as standard treatment. The only risk is that training of the
lumbosacral stability is an unproven treatment. But it will do no harm for this
condition.