Effect of patellofemoral joint targeted education, and exercise guidelines on outcomes of patients with patellofemoral osteoarthritis

Background and objective: Patellofemoral joint osteoarthritis (PFJOA) is an under recognized category of arthritis, evident in almost 70% of adults with knee pain. Objective was to evaluate the effect of patellofemoral joint targeted education, and exercise guidelines on outcomes of patients with patellofemoral osteoarthritis.Methods: A quasi experimental (pre/post) design was used. Setting: The study was conducted in the physiotherapy department of a large University Hospital in Egypt. Sample: A randomized 30 adult patients with symptomatic and diagnosed PFJOA. Researchers and Physiotherapists delivered the PFJ-targeted education, and exercise program in 3 sessions over 9 month period.Results: The PFJ-targeted education, and exercise guidelines resulted in a highly statistically significant difference in the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) pre/posttest in the whole five domains of the questionnaire; Pain (nine items); Symptoms (seven items); ADL Function (17 items); Sport and Recreation Function (five items); and Quality of Life (four items) p < .001**.Conclusions: PFJ-targeted education, and exercise guidelines were more effective in reducing pain, improving physical function, and activities of daily living. Recommendation: Replication of the study using a larger probability sample from different geographical areas to help for generalization of the results.