Effects of Motor Control Training on the Concept of Kinetic Control in Treating Patella Ligament Tendinopathy in a Female Football Player: A Case Study

Abstract

Objectives: Patellar ligament tendinopathy, also known as jumper’s knee, is a group of pain symptoms of the anterior side of the knee joint. The Kinetic Control (KC) concept uses the movement control rating system, based on motor tests and exercises aimed at re-educating motor control. The present study explored the effects of motor control training on the KC concept in treating patella ligament tendinopathy in a female football player. Methods: The current case study was conducted on a 20-year-old female football player. She had been complaining of pain in the front of the right knee joint for two months. Her treatment involved KC training was conducted for 6 weeks (3 times a week for 30 minutes). To investigate the effectiveness of the presented therapy, the following tools were used: Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), The Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment–Patella (VISA-P scale), the Modified Laitinen Pain Questionnaire, Counter Movement Jump (CMJ) test on a dynamometric platform, and quadriceps muscle isometric test. The Asymmetry Index (AI) was applied to assess the asymmetry of quadriceps strength and lower limb loading. Results: The degree of pain (i.e. measured by the VAS) decreased from 7 points at pre-training to 1 point after 6 weeks of therapy. In the VISA-P measurement, pain decreased as a result of an increase in points from 53 to 82. Pain complaints (i.e. measured using the Laitinen questionnaire) decreased from 7 to 2 points. After treatment, the AI improved in all phases of the tests. Discussion: The achieved data indicated that the neuromuscular KC training was effective in treating patellar tendinopathy. However, it is necessary to conduct further studies with larger sample size.

Keywords

• knee
• patella
• tendinopathy
• exercise therapy