Plain English Summary
Background and study aims
Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a common disorder which describes pain in the front of the knee and around the kneecap. PFPS is sometimes called ‘runner’s knee’ or ‘jumper’s knee’ because it’s common in people who play sports. PFPS is most common in females and young adults. People with PFPS experience pain around the knee during both rest and physical activity. Triggers of pain include bending the knee, using stairs or taking part in sports or exercise. There is little agreement on the causes of PFPS, but it is thought to be caused by a misalignment within the knee and putting too much weight on the knee joint and surrounding area. Another explanation for the cause of PFPS is that the pain is caused by an irritated nerve located in either the lower back or possibly the thigh. The aim of this study is to gain a better understanding of PFPS and its causes. Patients diagnosed with PFPS in one knee will be tested for signs of altered nerve sensitivity in the affected knee compared to their unaffected knee. The results of this study might help shed light on the causes of PFPS.
Who can participate?
Adults having physiotherapy for PFPS.
What does the study involve?
Participants have a thorough screening examination to assess their condition and complete questionnaires. A physiotherapist carries out two movement tests on both knees and assesses pain levels using an established scoring system. The session takes around 90 minutes and is carried out in the physiotherapy clinic.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
A benefit of taking part in this study is that all participants will have a thorough assessment of their knee problems. There are no specific risks to participants.
Where is the study run from?
Hans & Olaf Physiotherapy Centre (Hans & Olaf Fysioterapi) (Norway)
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
January 2010 to October 2010
Who is funding the study?
Norwegian Fund for Postgraduate Training in Physiotherapy (Norway)
Who is the main contact?
Ms K Vegstein
Trial website
Additional identifiers
EudraCT number
ClinicalTrials.gov number
Protocol/serial number
N/A
Study information
Scientific title
Neurodynamic test in patellofemoral pain syndrome: a pilot study
Acronym
Study hypothesis
Is there increased mechanosensitivity in the femoral nerve in patients with unilateral PFPS (patellofemoral pain syndrome)?
Ethics approval
1. University of Bergen, 2010.
2.REK (Regional Committee for Medical and Health Research Ethics), Norway.
Study design
Cross sectional pilot study
Primary study design
Observational
Secondary study design
Cross sectional study
Trial setting
Hospitals
Trial type
Diagnostic
Patient information sheet
Not available in web format, please use contact details to request a participant information sheet.
Condition
Patellofemoral pain syndrome
Intervention
Neurodynamic testing of the femoral nerve:
1. Butler prone knee bend (PKB) test
2. Butler slump knee bend (SKB) test
3. Maitland Posterior- Anterior (PA) unilateral movement. test for lumbar segmental pain
Intervention type
Other
Phase
Drug names
Primary outcome measure
Levels of pain experienced during neurodynamic testing, assessed using a numeric pain scoring system.
Secondary outcome measures
PA unilateral test to investigate whether patients suffer from back pain on the PFPS affected side.
Overall trial start date
01/01/2010
Overall trial end date
31/10/2010
Reason abandoned (if study stopped)
Eligibility
Participant inclusion criteria
1. Adults aged 18–44 diagnosed with unilateral PFPS
2. Patients with a pain history of more than 3 months (i.e. chronic pain) and which is experienced during rest and/or during physical (e.g. pain when doing knee bends, using stairs or taking part in sports or exercise activities).
3. Patients able to carry out normal daily activities
Participant type
Patient
Age group
Adult
Gender
Both
Target number of participants
12
Participant exclusion criteria
1. Patients with known intraarticular disorders or other systemic pathological conditions
2. Patients who have undergone previous surgery or suffered knee trauma in the affected leg
3. Patients who have received knee injections within 3 months of taking part in the trial
Recruitment start date
01/05/2010
Recruitment end date
30/08/2010
Locations
Countries of recruitment
Norway
Trial participating centre
Hans & Olaf Physiotherapy Clinic (Hans & Olaf Fysioterapi)
Torggata 16
Oslo
0181
Norway
Sponsor information
Organisation
Norwegian Fund for Postgraduate Training in Physiotherapy (Norway)
Sponsor details
Postboks 2704 St. Hanshaugen
Oslo
0131
Norway
+47 22 93 30 90
post@fysiofondet.no
Sponsor type
Government
Website
Funders
Funder type
Government
Funder name
Norwegian Fund for Postgraduate Training in Physiotherapy (Norway)
Alternative name(s)
Funding Body Type
Funding Body Subtype
Location
Results and Publications
Publication and dissemination plan
We hope to publish a paper in the Journal of Manual and Manipulative Therapy.
Intention to publish date
01/06/2015
Participant level data
Available on request
Basic results (scientific)
Publication list