Research summary · Recovery and rehabilitation
Gait retraining for runners with patellofemoral pain
A scoping review examines changes in pain, function and biomechanics after running-gait retraining for patellofemoral pain.
- Publication year
- 2026
- First published online
- Publication type
- Scoping review of randomized controlled trials
- Journal
- Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine
- Population / context
- Running · Patellofemoral pain rehabilitation
What the publication reports
Five databases yielded three eligible randomized trials investigating cadence, impact or foot-strike modifications. Intervention groups reported pain and function improvements alongside biomechanical changes. Temporary calf discomfort occurred in some participants during adaptation.
Limits and interpretation
Only three trials were included, with differing retraining strategies. The abstract provides no pooled comparison or total participant count. Optimal dosing, long-term retention and applicability beyond runners remain uncertain; these findings do not establish a universal gait correction.
Read the source
Consult the original record for the full author list, methods, references, funding and competing-interest disclosures.
Gait Retraining for Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome: A Biomechanical Approach to Pain Relief and Performance Optimization
Original publication / indexed recordPMID: 42864740DOI: 10.1097/JSM.0000000000001519Reader discussion
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