Comparison of Foot Posture, Plantar Pressure, and Postural Balance in Patellofemoral Pain Patients and Healthy Subjects

Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFS) is a musculoskeletal problem characterized by pain felt in the front of the knee or behind the patella, commonly affecting individuals in adolescence or young adulthood, especially those engaged in sports such as cycling and running. It is one of the most encountered knee injuries and can have a poor prognosis. The intensity of knee pain increases during functional activities such as stair climbing, squatting, running, and jumping due to the increased patellofemoral joint reaction force. A disturbance in postural stability is observed in individuals with PFS due to pain during functional activities. Studies examining changes in foot posture, plantar pressure, and postural balance in individuals with PFS are quite limited and controversial. Moreover, research that simultaneously investigates these parameters and interprets the results is scarce. Some studies have utilized detailed technical systems such as medical imaging or motion analysis, while practical methods incorporating foot posture and plantar pressure analyses are available and easy to use in clinical settings. There is a lack of literature on the easy assessment and interpretation of plantar pressure, postural balance, and functional activities in individuals with PFS. Within the scope of this project, the plan is to assess plantar pressure, postural balance, and functional activities in individuals with PFS. The aim is to quickly interpret the biomechanical changes occurring in these individuals and guide rehabilitation programs based on the obtained data. The use of practical and fast assessment methods in planning treatments for PFS is crucial for early rehabilitation planning. Practical methods such as foot posture, plantar pressure, and postural balance assessments, which can be used in clinical settings, may provide benefits in shaping rehabilitation goals related to lower extremity alignment in individuals with PFS. The objective of this study is to compare the