Browsing by Author "Brand, Erika Gertruida"

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    Asymmetry in hip, knee and ankle kinematics in cyclists with chronic unilateral patellofemoral pain
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2016-03) Brand, Erika Gertruida; Louw, Q.; Crous, L.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Dept. of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences. Physiotherapy.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Background: Cycling has grown in popularity over the last number of years and the nature of the sport has led to a high incidence of overuse injuries such as patellofemoral pain (PFP). With patellofemoral pain being multifactorial numerous aspects have been investigated. In an attempt to further investigate contributing factors, asymmetry of joint kinematics in the lower limb has been investigated. Kinematics of the hip, knee and ankle joints in the sagittal, coronal and transverse plane were evaluated. Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate whether asymmetry of hip, knee and ankle kinematics in cyclists could contribute to patellofemoral pain when compared with cyclist without knee pain. Study Design: Descriptive study design was incorporated. Study Setting: This study was conducted at the FNB -3D motion analysis laboratory at the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa. Method: Road cyclists were recruited in South Africa and Namibia. The study sample comprised of seven road cyclists (4 with PFP and 3 without pain) who were evaluated at the FNB Motion Analysis Laboratory at Stellenbosch University. The Vicon Motion Systems (Ltd) (Oxford, UK) was used to capture three-dimensional joint kinematics. Collected data was utilised to draw graphs for visual comparison. Results: In the sagittal plane no asymmetry was noted in the hip and knee movement, but asymmetry was present in the ankle joint. However the asymmetry was present for both asymptomatic and symptomatic groups. In the coronal and transverse plane asymmetry was present in all joints; both the asymptomatic and symptomatic group presented some level of asymmetry. Conclusion: Asymmetry was apparent in the hip, knee and ankle joints in the coronal and the transverse plane, however it is present in the symptomatic as well as in the asymptomatic group and could therefore not be identified as a contributing factor for the development of patellofemoral pain. These findings highlight the fact that PFP is multifactorial and that all possible contributing factors should be kept in mind when evaluating and treating cyclists with PFP.