For patients with patellofemoral pain, a treatment strategy focused on activity modification and load management correlated with high rates of successful outcomes at 12 and 52 weeks, according to recently published results.

Researchers identified 151 adolescent patients aged 10 years to 14 years with patellofemoral pain. At 1 to 4 weeks, patients and parents met with a physical therapist to modify activity to decrease patellofemoral joint loading with the use of an activity ladder and pain monitoring. Patients underwent home-based exercises at 5 to 8 weeks and at 9 to 12 weeks underwent return-sport guidance. The seven-point global rating of change was the primary outcome and 12 weeks was the primary endpoint. Successful outcomes were those that patients reported as “much improved” or “improved”. Other outcomes included the KOOS, hip and knee torque, sports participation, treatment satisfaction and painkiller use.