Abstract
M.Tech.
The purpose of this unblinded controlled study was to determine the effective of dry needling of the
Vastus Medialis Oblique muscle when utilised in conjunction with conservative chiropractic
management for Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS).
The subjects of the trial were treated at the Chiropractic Day Clinic at the University of
Johannesburg. Thirty patients suffering from chronic Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome were chosen for
the study and they were divided into two groups of fifteen. The first group received conservative
chiropractic care which consisted of manipulation of the sacroiliac joint, mobilisation of the knee
and patella joints and stretching and strengthening exercises consisting of Quadriceps standing self
stretch and Quadriceps setting as the strengthening exercise. The second group received the above
treatment but also underwent dry needling of the Vastus Medialis Oblique muscle.
The objective data for this research was recorded using a lower limb isometric dynamometer and the
subjective data was recorded with a pain scale. Both sets of data were recorded on the first, third and
fifth treatments.
The results of the trial showed that there was a significant increase in strength with a reduction in
pain levels for both groups but there was no statistically significant difference when comparing the
two groups. The dry needling group did however improve at a faster rate than the other group but it
did even out after the five treatments. What was noteworthy is that the males of the study improved
their strength by a much greater extent than the females which is uncommon for PFPS.
The end result of this study is that overall, dry needling of the Vastus Medialis Oblique muscle is
not highly beneficial in the long term management of PFPS but does have its benefits in the early
stages of the treatment in order to relieve the acute pain and increase the Quadriceps muscle strength
rapidly.