Effect of Short Foot Exercise Combined With Focused Hip and Knee Exercises on Pain, Q Angle and Functional Outcomes in Female Patients With Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of short foot exercises combined with focused hip and knee strengthening on pain, Q-angle, and functional outcomes in female patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). Thirty-eight participants aged 18-45 years will be randomly assigned to either an experimental group (short foot + hip and knee exercises) or a control group (hip and knee exercises only) for a 6-week supervised rehabilitation program.

Inclusion Criteria: Diagnosed cases of patellofemoral pain syndrome confirmed by this protocol. 1. Females aged 18-45 years 2. Anterior or retro patellar knee pain lasting ≥ 6 weeks 3. Pain provoked by at least one PFJ-loading task, including: 1. squatting, 2. stair climbing/descending, 3. running, 4. prolonged sitting with knees flexed 4. Pain elicited by at least two of four clinical tests; 1. Pain during isometric quadriceps contraction at 20-30° knee flexion 2. Pain on palpation of the patellofemoral joint line 3. Pain during patellar compression 4. Pain during active resisted knee extension Exclusion Criteria: History of patellar instability, including subluxation or dislocation 2. Evidence of tibiofemoral pathology, such as: Ligamentous injuries, meniscal tears, and symptomatic knee effusion. 3\. Previous knee surgery within the last 12 months 4. Radiographic or clinical knee osteoarthritis. 5. Neurological disorders or systemic inflammatory diseases that may influence gait or pain perception. \-