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The effects of a six week eccentric exercise program on knee pain, knee function, quadriceps femoris and hamstring strength, and activity levels in patients with chronic patellar tendinitis

University of British Columbia

A non-concurrent multiple baseline design was used to evaluate the effects of a 6-week eccentric exercise program (EEP) on self-ratings of knee pain (intensity & unpleasantness), self-ratings of knee function, measures of isokinetic and isometric quadriceps femoris and hamstring muscle strength, and daily activity levels in four patients with chronic patellar tendinitis (CPT). Patients (3 female, 1 male, mean age 23.75 yrs) diagnosed with CPT provided informed consent to participate in this study. Repeated measures consisted of the: Descriptor Differential Scale, Knee Function Visual Analogue Scale, Kin Com isokinetic dynamometer for measures of isometric peak force of the quadriceps femoris and hamstrings of the affected and unaffected lower extremities, and Daily Activity Levels. Periodic isokinetic average torque measures of the quadriceps femoris and hamstrings of both lower extremities were also collected. The EEP consisted of a warm-up, stretching of the quadriceps femoris and hamstrings, progressive "drop squats", repeated stretching, and icing of the affected knee. Results were analyzed visually and statistically (C-statistic). Results of this study indicated reductions in ratings of intensity of knee pain (n=3) and ratings of unpleasantness of knee pain (n=2), improved ratings of knee function (n=3), increased isometric peak force of the quadriceps femoris of the affected side (n=4) and the unaffected side (n=3), minimal change in isometric peak force of the hamstrings of the affected and unaffected sides, and inconsistent changes in daily activity levels. Generally, isokinetic concentric and eccentric average torque increased for the quadriceps femoris of the affected and unaffected sides, however, minimal change occurred for the hamstrings of the affected and unaffected sides. The EEP appears to have clinical benefit for patients with CPT, however, due to the long-term nature of chronic tendinopathy, it appears the EEP may need to be applied for longer durations.

Thesis/Dissertation

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2009-05-23

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http://hdl.handle.net/2429/8091

Rehabilitation Sciences

University of British Columbia

UBCV

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