Another study published earlier this year investigated physiotherapy intervention compared to no intervention for people suffering with Patellofemoral (kneecap joint) pain, when performing the task of going up stairs.
Participants were 40 years or younger and were randomly assigned to one of the two groups.
Results showed that after the 6 week intervention, the physiotherapy group had greater knee mobility than those in the no intervention group.
Those individuals who were able to turn on their quadricep/upper thigh muscles had greater improvements in knee mobility/movement.
It was concluded that physiotherapy intervention results in significantly greater changes in knee joint mobility and these changes are partly to do with changes in pain and changes in the timing of quadriceps muscle contraction. (Crossley K, Bennell K, Green S, Cowan S, McConnell J; Physical therapy for patellofemoral pain: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial; The American Journal of Sports Medicine 2002 Nov-Dec;30(6):857-865)
