Research confirms what many DCs and their patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome likely know already: spinal manipulation is more effective than local exercise therapy in reducing pain, improving function and other key outcome measures.
Outcome measures included maximum, minimum and current pain (VAS, 0-100 mm); function (Anterior Knee Pain Scale, 0-100 score); and maximum voluntary peak force (MVPF) of the quadriceps (dynanometer), all assessed at three points: before intervention, after six weeks of intervention and after six weeks of follow-up (week 12 of the study).
Study Findings: In terms of improvement, significant between-group differences for both pain and functionality were noted, favoring the spinal manual therapy group. Significant between-group differences were not noted relative to improvement in quadriceps MVPF.
"This is the first study supporting evidence that spinal manual therapy is more effective than local exercise therapy in patients with PFPS in the medium term. Compared to local exercise therapy, six sessions of manipulative therapy of the spine resulted in minimal clinically important differences in pain and functionality after 6?weeks of intervention and at 6?weeks of follow-up."
Source
- Scafoglieri A, et al. Effectiveness of local exercise therapy versus spinal manual therapy in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome: medium term follow-up results of a randomized controlled trial. BMC Musculoskel Disord, 2021;22(1):446.
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