Patellofemoral pain in female ballet dancers: correlation with iliotibial band tightness and tibial external rotation.

Review of the literature reveals that ballet dancers have a high incidence of idiopathic patellofemoral pain. Twenty-four female ballet dancers were subjects in a study of the relationship between: 1) iliotibial band (ITB) tightness and patellofemoral pain, and 2) ITB tightness and degrees of tibial external rotation used in the dance demi-plie. Dancers were initially assessed by questionnaire to determine if any had knee pain. Twelve subjects met the study criteria for patellofemoral pain, and 12 dancers without knee pain served as controls for the study, Iliotibial band tightness was measured (Ober test), and degrees of tibial external rotation used during knee flexion (demi-plie) in standing were measured in both legs of all 24 subjects (48 legs). Chi-square analysis of the collected data revealed that there was an association between ITB tightness and patellofemoral pain in the dancers. Data analysis using the Wilcoxon Rank Sum test revealed that the degree of tibial external rotation used by dancers with iliotibial band tightness was significantly greater than those without ITB tightness. This study confirms the assumption that ITB tightness in dancers may be a contributing factor to patellofemoral pain. Follow-up study is indicated to determine if the preservation or restoration of functional ITB length is effective in the prevention and/or treatment of patellofemoral pain in ballet dancers.