| Objective: To evaluate the effects of different quadrants of isokinetic quadriceps training on the mal-patellar tracking of patients with patellofemoral osteoarthritis. Methods: Isokinetic quadficeps training was administered to 60 cases of patellofemoral osteoarthritis. The subjects were allocated into 3 groups for 4 week isokinetie training with ranges of A (0-30°), B (30-60°) or C (60-90°)according to priority, with 20 knee joints in each group. X-rays with loading and with 45° knee flexion were taken before and after the training. The lateral patello femoral angle, the patella index and the patella femoral index were recorded along with the peak torque (PT), the total work (TW), and the average work (AW) in the three different ranges of motion. WOMAC scores were also recorded. Results: After 4-week training, the patellofemoral index and patellar proper angle in group A were significantly lower than those before training, and the lateral patellofemoral angle was significantly higher than before training. The difference was statistically significant (P<0.05); PT, TW and AW values in groups A, B, and C were significantly higher than before training (P<0.05); For WOMAC score comparison, the pain and daily function scores in group A were significantly lower than before training (P<0.05). After training, for the mal patellar tracking parameters comparison, the patellofemoral index and the appropriate patellar angle in group A were significantly lower than those in groups B and C (P<0.05), and the lateral patellofemoral angle was significantly greater than that in groups B and C (P<0.05); For comparison of measured values of isokinetic muscle strength, the PT in group A was significantly higher than that in groups B and C (P<0.05); For the comparison of WOMAC score, the pain score in group A was significantly lower than that in groups B and C (P<0.05). Conclusion: Isokinetic quadriceps training with 0°~30° range of motion can best realign patellar tracking of patellofemoral osteoarthritis, and improve knee function. |
