Gait retraining for the treatment of patellofemoral pain

NewsBot · Nov 16, 2024

Can running technique modification benefit patellofemoral pain improvement in runners? A systematic review and meta-analysis
Hongbin Chang and Xuanzhen Cen
International Journal of Biomedical Engineering and TechnologyVol. 45, No. 2

Patellofemoral pain is one of the most common running-related pathologies among the running population. Running technique modification as a suggestive treatment strategy for mitigating patellofemoral pain in runners has been widely investigated in previous literature. The objective of this systematic review was to summarise the literature addressing the running technique modification associated with patellofemoral joint loading, to guide prevention strategy for patellofemoral pain. The English-language searches were conducted in the electronic databases of CINAHL, MEDLINE, and Web of Science for studies investigating biomechanical outcomes of the knee joint until May 2022. Study methodological quality was assessed using modified Downs and Black scales, with a meta-analysis conducted. Fourteen qualified studies were involved. The moderate evidence indicated that the forefoot strike (FFS) pattern led to a reduction in patellofemoral joint (PFJ) loading compared with the rearfoot strike (RFS) pattern. Also, moderate evidence indicated that the PFJ loading decreased progressively as the step rate increased but was inversely proportional to step length. These findings highlight the moderate evidence that running technique modifications, such as adopting FFS, increasing step rate, and decreasing step length, could be suggested to reduce PFJ loading and potentially alleviate PFJ pain in runners. Further research should focus on the long-term measurement to investigate the retention of these lower limbs' biomechanical characteristics under different running technique strategies.
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NewsBot · Aug 29, 2025

Effects of altering walking foot strike pattern in combination with lower extremity strengthening on lower limb alignment in females with patellofemoral pain: a randomized controlled trial
Ali Yalfani et al
Sci Rep. 2025 Aug 28;15(1):31687.

Background: Rear-foot eversion increases the patellofemoral joint stress through the mechanism of lower extremity coupling. Therefore, the present clinical trial aimed to evaluate the effects of altering walking foot strike pattern in combination with lower extremity strengthening on lower limb alignment in females with patellofemoral pain (PFP).

Methods: Forty women with PFP were randomly assigned to experimental (n = 20) and control groups (n = 20). For 8 weeks, the experimental group received the forefoot strike pattern combined with foot-knee strengthening exercises. Versus, the control group during 8 weeks did not receive any intervention aimed at treating PFP. The primary outcome was self-reported pain. The secondary outcome was rear-foot eversion, dynamic knee valgus (DKV), pelvic drop, hip extensor, hip abductor, and knee extensor muscle strength, which were measured before and after 8 weeks. Covariance analysis was used to compare the results between the two groups.

Results: A significant difference was observed in reduced pain (P < 0.001, η2 = 0.884), rear-foot eversion (P < 0.001, η2 = 0.880), DKV (P < 0.001, η2 = 0.740), and pelvic drop (P < 0.001, η2 = 0.540). In addition, a significant difference was observed in the increase in the muscle strength of the hip extensor (P < 0.001, η2 = 0.743), hip abductor (P < 0.001, η2 = 0.770), and knee extensor (P < 0.001, η2 = 0.811).

Conclusion: Eight weeks the lower limb strengthening and changes in foot strike during walking can have clinical importance in reducing self-reported pain, rear-foot eversion, DKV, and pelvic drop during a single leg squat.
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NewsBot · Nov 16, 2025

Effects of running technique characteristics on the patellofemoral joint load: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Shiqi Yu et al
Gait Posture. 2025 Oct 31:124:110025.

Background: Recent studies have shown that gait retraining can significantly affect the biomechanical load on the patellofemoral joint. It is of great significance to understand the effects of these running technique characteristics on patellofemoral joint load for developing effective prevention and rehabilitation strategies for injury.

Methods: A systematic review was conducted on the relevant studies from PubMed, Web of Science, EBSCO, CNKI, and Wanfang database, and the data were synthesized. Data including patellofemoral joint contact force (PFCF) and patellofemoral joint stress (PFJS) were extracted and pooled for analysis.

Results: A total of 2102 studies were retrieved, and 32 studies were finally included after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria. According to subgroup analysis results, some running technique characteristics notably decreased PFCF (SMD = - 0.60; 95 % CI: - 0.71, - 0.49; z = 10.98, p = 0.000), including forefoot strike (FFS), decreased step length, increased step rate, decreased speed, trunk forward lean, backward running, and running softer; whereas some characteristics significantly increased PFCF (SMD = 0.46; 95 % CI: 0.29, 0.62; z = 5.47, p = 0.000), including increased step length, decreased step rate, increased speed, and trunk backward lean. Additionally, some characteristics remarkably decreased PFJS (SMD = - 0.59; 95 % CI: - 0.72, - 0.47; z = 9.02, p = 0.000), including FFS, decreased step length, increased step rate, decreased speed, and trunk forward lean; whereas some characteristics significantly increased PFJS (SMD = 0.43; 95 % CI: 0.24, 0.62; z = 4.39, p = 0.000), such as increased step length, decreased step rate, and trunk backward lean.

Conclusion: Some specific running technique characteristics can significantly influence patellofemoral joint load. Technique characteristics, such as FFS, decreased step length, increased step rate, decreased speed, trunk forward lean, backward running, and running softer, can effectively decrease the load. Conversely, increased step length, decreased step rate, increased speed, and trunk backward lean tended to increase the load.
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Gait retraining for the treatment of patellofemoral pain

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Gait retraining for the treatment of patellofemoral pain

NewsBot The Admin that posts the news.

NewsBot The Admin that posts the news.

NewsBot The Admin that posts the news.

Gait retraining for plantar fasciitis

Shoe‐mounted accelerometers should be used with caution in gait retraining

Gait retraining versus foot orthoses for patellofemoral pain

Gait retraining considered for arthritis patients

Powers™ strap for gait retraining

Patent for Gait Retraining Tool

The energetic cost of gait retraining

Share This Page

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