Patellar hypomobility and the flexibility of the iliotibial band and the femoral quadriceps

Background. The aim of our study was to determine whether or not the flexibility of the iliotibial band and femoral quadriceps have an impact on patellar hypomobility, due to their connections with the patellar stabilizers. Material and methods. We examined 62 patients (44 females, 18 males) with a median age of 15 years (range 9-19). All these patients had patellofemoral dysfunction in the tested knees (101). The medial and distal glide of the patella were tested with a manual test according to Kaltenborn's scale. Ober's test was performed to test the tightness of the iliotibial band. The flexibility of the quadriceps femoris was tested while the patient was lying prone with the tested leg on the couch and the other beside it. Results. Statistical analysis based on the c2 test (P=0.05) found no dependence between the flexibility parameters of the iliotibial band or the femoral quadriceps and the parameters of patellar hypomobility. Of the tested joints, 37.6% showed hypomobile patella and positive Ober's test, while 34.7% had hypomobile patella and a positive test for femoral quadriceps flexibility. Conclusions. The flexibility of the iliotibial band and femoral quadriceps has no direct influence on passive patellar hypomobility, but can affect the biomechanics of the patellofemoral joint and the location of the point of contact on articular surfaces during dynamic knee work. The flexibility of these muscles should be a diagnostic factor in patients with patellofemoral dysfunction.