Effects of static stretching of knee musculature on patellar alignment and knee functional disability in male patients diagnosed with knee extension syndrome: A single-group, pretest-posttest trial.
BACKGROUND
Knee extension (Kext) syndrome is based on movement system impairments and is described as knee pain associated with quadriceps stiffness.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of 3 times per week for 4 weeks static stretching of knee musculature on patellar alignment and knee functional disability in male Kext syndrome patients.


DESIGN
A single-group, pretest-posttest clinical trial.


SETTING
Hazrat-e-Rasoul Akram Hospital.


PARTICIPANTS
Forty-six male Kext syndrome patients aged 18-35 years.


METHODS
Knee functional disability was assessed by the Kujala questionnaire. Patellar tilt was assessed using the skyline view X-ray. In addition, patella alta was assessed by X-ray using the Insall-Salvati ratio. After intervention, changes in knee flexion-extension range of motion (ROM) and hip adduction were assessed by goniometer and inclinometer. Changes in patellar tilt and patella alta were evaluated. Correlations between muscles length, patellar tilt and knee functional disability were also evaluated.


RESULTS
The mean of patellar tilt in male Kext syndrome patients was 15.19°. Only the correlation between rectus femoris shortness and patellar tilt (P = 0.002) and the correlation between rectus femoris shortness and knee functional disability (P = 0.037) were significant. Patella alta was not severe in male Kext syndrome patients (1.28 ± 0.10). Knee flexion-extension ROM and femoral adduction increased significantly after a 12-session stretching programme (P < 0.0001).


CONCLUSION
The results demonstrated that rectus femoris shortness had higher correlation with patellar tilt and knee functional disability than iliotibial band and hamstring shortness. Stretching was effective in reducing patellar tilt, patella alta, knee functional disability, increasing knee ROM and hip adduction in these patients.
['Pourahmadi|Mohammad Reza|MR|', 'Ebrahimi Takamjani|Ismail|I|', 'Hesampour|Kazem|K|', 'Shah-Hosseini|Gholam Reza|GR|', 'Jamshidi|Ali Ashraf|AA|', 'Shamsi|Mohammad Bagher|MB|']
D000293:Adolescent D000328:Adult D004185:Disability Evaluation D006801:Humans D007492:Iran D007718:Knee Injuries D008297:Male D052580:Muscle Stretching Exercises D057071:Patellofemoral Joint D052097:Quadriceps Muscle D016059:Range of Motion, Articular D055815:Young Adult
Knee functional disability Knee extension syndrome Patellar tilt Patella alta