Principal Investigator: Gary S. Beaupré, PhD Project Staff: Scott L. Delp, PhD; Thor Besier, PhD; Garry E. Gold, MD; Christine Draper, MS; and Michael Frederiscon, MD Project Category: Bone & Joint - 2004 The incidence of PF joint pain in both male and female military personnel and veterans is high. Of 139 Gulf War veterans referred for rheumatology consultation, the most common diagnosis was PF syndrome which affected 24% of veterans. In a recent study of US Marine Corps recruits, patellofemoral pain was the most commonly reported condition (10% of subjects) among female recruits. In a 1983 study of army infantry training unit members, 4.5% of discharges were attributable to PF pain. PF syndrome was the most common rheumatologic diagnosis leading to early discharge among Air Force recruits. Approximately one of out four young, active veterans are estimated to be affected by patellofemoral syndrome. The cost to the VA for the treatment and rehabilitation of veterans with PF syndrome is unknown, but likely substantial. The specific objectives of this project are to use non-invasive imaging and subject-specific computer models to improve our understanding of the factors related to patellofemoral pain in patients with and without PF malalignment. The long-term goal of this research is to provide physical therapists, physiatrists, and sports medicine clinicians with additional information that can be used to improve the treatment of patients with PF syndrome. An important set of objectives for this project is the determination of subject specific patellofemoral forces, contact areas and contact stresses during discrete phases of running and squatting. The accomplishment of these objectives will require a systematic series of steps in which we will use non-invasive imaging, experimental studies, and computational models. Milestones:
Funding Source: VA RR&D Merit Review Funding Status: Active |
