Analysis of Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome in Fencers

The clinical manifestations, pathogenesis and rehabilitation strategies of the patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) in fencing athletes are systematically analyzed. The unique "combat stance" and explosive lunge movements in fencing cause the knee joint to bear high-intensity loads for a long time, resulting in abnormal increase in the pressure on the patellofemoral joint. PFPS in fencing athletes is characterised by static dull pain and dynamic sharp pain, which is debilitating and drastically affects their athletic performance, and may eventually lead to the development of patellofemoral osteoarthritis. Pathogenesis includes abnormal patellar trajectory, weak hip muscle groups, limited ankle joint movement and absence of buffering by the metal piste. Female athletes are at a greater risk because they have a larger Q angle and because of fluctuations in their hormones. Rehabilitation should focus on more than just passive pain relief and move towards re-education of movement patterns, balance training around the hip and knee muscle groups and strict management of training load. Hip and Core strengthening has been demonstrated to be an effective method in alleviating knee pain and enhancing function along with traditional knee treatments. Future studies, long-term prospective studies of the fencing population are warranted, and the use of wearable feedback technology should be investigated in the field of injury prevention.