Prospective Study of the Biomechanical Factors Associated with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

At the hip, increased adduction, as well as internal rotation may alter the patellofemoral contact area, thereby adversely affecting patellar stress. In support of this, cadaveric studies revealed that increased hip adduction (Huberti et al. 1984) and internal rotation (Lee et al, 2003) both resulted in increased stress on the lateral patellar facet. With the repetitive loading of running, this can lead to PFPS. Increased hip motions may place greater demands on the hip musculature leading to greater joint moments in these individuals as well.