Muscular control of the patella

Although a commonly discussed subject, more misinformation and anecdotal presentations may exist for muscular strengthening and patellar control than in nearly any other area of knee rehabilitation. Much of this is the result of the slow development of appropriate analyses of clinical efficacy in orthopedic rehabilitation (ie, few published significant clinical outcome studies related to these patients), but most importantly is related to the complex nature of the patellofemoral joint and its impact on function. This article is designed to provide the reader with an assessment of what the peer-reviewed literature supports and refutes related to muscular control of the patella. Statements and concepts are presented and discussed in this format.