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Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy

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01-03-2005 | Knee

Clinical classification of patellofemoral pain syndrome: guidelines for non-operative treatment

Authors: Erik Witvrouw, S. Werner, C. Mikkelsen, D. Van Tiggelen, L. Vanden Berghe, G. Cerulli

Published in: Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy | Issue 2/2005

Abstract

The patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) remains a challenging musculoskeletal entity encountered by clinicians. Reviewing the literature, conflicting data seem to exist regarding the effect of non-operative treatment in PFPS patients. A possible explanation may be lack of a clear classification system of patients with PFPS. It is our opinion that the term PFPS still is a ‘wastebasket’, which probably comprises several different entities. Therefore, it seems important to subdivide this broad group of patients into different categories with a specific rehabilitation approach. In this study, we introduce a classification system, which reflects a consensus reached by the European Rehabilitation Panel. This classification system should help the clinicians to identify the cause(s) of patellofemoral pain, and consequently help to select the most appropriate non-operative treatment. The authors are aware that no rehabilitation protocol will work for all PFPS patients, since the underlying mosaic of pathophysiology and tissue-healing responses are unique. Therefore, the aim of this study with a classification system was to guide the clinician through clinical examination in order to develop a non-operative treatment protocol, specific for each individual with PFPS.

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Title: Clinical classification of patellofemoral pain syndrome: guidelines for non-operative treatment
Authors: Erik Witvrouw
S. Werner
C. Mikkelsen
D. Van Tiggelen
L. Vanden Berghe
G. Cerulli
Publication date: 01-03-2005
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy / Issue 2/2005
Print ISSN: 0942-2056
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7347
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-004-0577-6

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Clinical classification of patellofemoral pain syndrome: guidelines for non-operative treatment

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