Knee crepitus in women with patellofemoral pain (PFP)
This study demonstrated that women with knee crepitus are at 4 times greater odds of having patellofemoral pain (PFP) compared to those who do not present with knee crepitus.
However, no significant relationships were found between the presence of crepitus and self-reported function, physical activity level, worst pain or pain during squat and stair climbing.
165 women with PFP and 158 pain-free women were recruited for this cross-sectional laboratory study.
In this study, the evaluator assessed for knee crepitus by placing the palm of the hand over the patella to detect the presence of a grinding sensation during squats to 90 degrees. The test was considered positive for knee crepitus when a grinding, crackling or crunching sensation during squatting was detected.
Despite being found in a greater proportion in women with PFP (67.9%), knee crepitus was also found in 33.5% of pain-free women in this study.
It has previously been reported that many people do not understand what the noise in their knees means. Patients may assume innacurate negative beliefs such as "it's a symbol of aging", which can result in avoiding physical activity.
The results of this study could be useful for health professionals in order to educate people with PFP that the sounds they hear have no relationship with pain, function or physical activities they may be involved in.
> From: de Oliveira Silva et al., Phys Ther Sport 33 (2018) 7-11 (Epub ahead of print). All rights reserved to Elsevier Ltd. Click here for the online summary.
