Table 1 Inclusion and exclusion criteria among patients with PFPS
The first stage (evaluation in the ORTON Orthopaedic Hospital or in the outpatient clinics of the public hospitals in the Helsinki area) | |
|---|---|
Inclusion criteria | Exclusion criteria |
Age 18 – 40 years | Disabling general illness |
Female or male | Reported knee ligamentous or meniscal injuries |
Characteristic history of PFPS and symptoms lasting at least 6 months | Previous knee surgery |
Patellofemoral pain during knee loading physical activity, such as jumping, running, squatting, or going up or down stairs | Physician diagnosed knee osteoarthritis |
Patellofemoral pain when the knee was kept in flexion for a prolonged period, with relief on extension | A history of patellar dislocation; however, subjects with patellar subluxation are included in the study |
Other knee problems than PFPS diagnosed clinically (such as jumper's knee) | |
Other knee problems than PFPS diagnosed radiographically (such as osteochondritis dissecans) | |
Physical therapy for PFPS within the previous 4 weeks | |
Pregnancy | |
Competitive athlete | |
The second stage (orthopedic surgeon's clinical and radiological evaluation in ORTON) | |
Inclusion criteria | Exclusion criteria |
As in stage one | Clear medio-lateral instability in manual instability measurement |
Knee problems other than PFPS | |
Knee osteoarthritis | |
Osteochondritis dissecans, loose bodies in the patellofemoral and tibiofemoral joints | |