Scientists at the University of Connecticut (UConn) have found that chronic knee pain rehabilitation may not target all the right muscles. The research was published in the journal Physical Therapy in Sports.
Approximately 23% of the world’s population suffers from runner’s knee syndrome, a condition that causes pain in the area around the kneecap. Women are 2.2 times more likely to contract this disease than men.
Using data from previous studies, the authors of the new study suggested that runner’s knee is associated with dysfunction of the quadriceps and gluteus maximus muscles. To test the hypothesis, scientists performed MRI on 13 patients with pain in the patellofemoral region.
Scientists found no difference in the size of the quadriceps and gluteal muscles of healthy women and patients with pain. However, women with runner’s knee syndrome often had less volume in the hamstrings, the deep external rotators of the hip. However, disorders in the same muscles were not observed in every patient.
“The four major muscles that many studies consider to be the priority muscles for rehabilitation were not actually the smaller ones. I think this demonstrates the need for individualization of patient care. We, as physicians and researchers, must determine which muscles are damaged and target them when treating a patient,” said the study’s author. Assistant professor of kinesiology in the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources.
Neil Glaviano.
The authors noted that muscle weakness may be associated not only with loss of muscle mass but also with impaired integrity of nerve connections. They plan to test this in a new study.
Previous scientists in the name It is a skin disease that increases cardiovascular risk.
Source: Gazeta
Barbara Dickson is a seasoned writer for “Social Bites”. She keeps readers informed on the latest news and trends, providing in-depth coverage and analysis on a variety of topics.