Extrait

Background and study aims Patellofemoral pain (PFP) is a common cause of pain in the region of the kneecap that is not related to any other injury or condition. Recent evidence suggests that 1 in 6 adults seeking advice from their GP with knee pain will be diagnosed with PFP. Experts are concerned that PFP may lead to future problems such as knee osteoarthritis (a form of arthritis caused by inflammation, breakdown, and the eventual loss of cartilage in the joints). Treatment failure rates are known to be high in patient with PFP, with a recent study showing that 40% still had a large amount of pain one year following treatment. This has led a group of international experts to say that future research needs to work out sub-groups (groups of people with similar types of knee cap problems) within the PFP population in order to better target treatment to needs of the sub group. Large research trials investigating this sub-grouping approach for PFP are required, however, to ensure the success of such trials, information about whether it would be possible to conduct large scale studies needs to be collected. The aim of this study is to explore the feasibility of targeting treatment to a selected subgroup compared to usual care treatment e.g. standard physiotherapy. Who can participate? Adults between 18-40 who present with kneecap pain What does the study involve? Participants are identified from a larger ongoing study on the basis of having hip muscle weakness at clinical examination. Participants are then randomly allocated into either a matched treatment (MT) group or usual care (UC). Those in the MT group are asked to attend six supervised sessions of physiotherapy aimed at strengthening the hip muscles. Those in the UC group are to continue with the same management of their condition as they were planning to receive before starting the study. At the start of the study and again after 8 weeks participants in both groups completed a range of clinical assessments including strength testing of the knee and hip, movement assesment up and down stairs and questionnaires. What are the possible benefits and risks of participating? Participants may not benefit from participation in the study but it’s hoped the information obtained from this study might help to improve the treatment of people with PFP. There are no known risks involved with participating. Where is the study run from? Chapel Allerton Hospital (UK) When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for? March 2014 to June 2017 Who is funding the study? National Institute for Health Research (UK) Who is the main contact? Mr Benjamin Drew [email protected]

Critère d'inclusion

• Specialty: Musculoskeletal disorders, Primary sub-specialty: Metabolic bone disease

Liens

• isrctn