Evaluation of Soft Foot Orthotics in the Treatment of Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The effectiveness of soft foot orthotics in the treatment of patients who have patellofemoral pain syndrome was investigated. SUBJECTS: Subjects were 20 adolescent female patients, aged 13 to 17 years (mean = 14.8, SD = 1.2), who were diagnosed with patellofemoral pain syndrome and who exhibited excessive forefoot varus or calcaneal valgus. METHODS: Subjects were randomly assigned to one of two groups: a control group (n = 10), which took part in an exercise program, or a treatment group (n = 10), which used soft foot orthotics in addition to participating in the exercise program. The exercise program consisted of quadriceps femoris and hamstring muscle strengthening and stretching exercises. A visual analogue scale was used to assess the level of pain of the subjects over an 8-week period. RESULTS: Both the treatment and control groups demonstrated a significant decrease in the level of pain, but the improvement of the treatment group was significantly greater than that of the control group. CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION: The results suggest that in addition to an exercise program, the use of soft foot orthotics is an effective means of treatment for the patient with patellofemoral pain syndrome.