Iranian Journal of Ergonomics

Introduction: Concurrent pain in the knee joint and its-related muscles is expectable in patients with sacroiliac dysfunction. However, the association between the severity of knee pain and the level of sacroiliac dysfunction is still unclear. The present study aimed to determine the association between the severity of sacroiliac dysfunction and the severity of pain due to involvement of knee compartment. 

Materials and Methods: One hundred consecutive patients who visited an orthopedic clinic with the primary complaint of knee pain were recruited. According to specific diagnostic tests, 50 had sacroiliac dysfunction and 50 had no history of sacroiliac dysfunction. The severity of knee pain was determined using the Anterior Knee Pain Scale (AKPS). T-tests were then performed to compare the two groups in terms of AKPS scores.

Results: The mean AKPS score was 33.2 ± 12.1 in patients with sacroiliac dysfunction and 62.6 ± 18.6 in those without sacroiliac dysfunction (p < 0.001). Moreover, anterior knee pain was more frequent in the first group (56% vs. 10% p < 0.001). 

Conclusion: There is a significant association between the severity of anterior knee pain and severity of sacroiliac dysfunction. This association may be due to involvement of knee extensor muscles following the progression of sacroiliac dysfunction.