Extrait

Background and study aims Arthritis behind the knee-cap is more common than we previously thought and its treatment is slightly different from arthritis in other parts of the knee. Putting on a thin knee brace seems to be a helpful treatment and makes people with knee-cap arthritis have less pain, walk better and develop stronger thigh muscles. This may also be true with a simple piece of tape across the knee-cap. Both treatments are inexpensive, simple and risk free ways to ease knee-cap pain caused by arthritis. We are interested to see what effect a knee brace or knee-cap taping has on the position of the knee cap, the knee and the whole leg. While braces and tape are effective in relieving pain for those with knee cap arthritis, their effects on the position of the knee cap are unknown. The brace or tape may work by changing the position of the knee-cap or changing the way the calf, thigh and hip muscles work. But we are still not sure if this is because the brace moves the knee-cap into a different position, changes the way muscles contract, or changes the movement of the whole thigh and leg when doing certain tasks. This study will allow us to understand why braces and tape seem to be successful non- surgical treatments for knee-cap arthritis and help us to direct modifications and new treatment for this common condition. It will compare the effects of a brace and taping with nothing at all on the knee-cap position, muscle activity and knee movement. Who can participate? Male and female patients between the ages of 40-70 years with knee-cap arthritis and who participated in our previous studies. What does the study involve? The study will involve people with knee-cap arthritis going up and down stairs, to compare the brace and the knee-cap tape with nothing at all and take measurements of the knee and leg movements, knee stresses and muscle activity. We also want information of knee-cap position to see if this is altered by the brace or tape, so we will take advantage of the unique open MRI scanner to get MRIs of the knee with the person standing in 3 conditions: with brace, with tape and with nothing at all. Standing up will give a much more relevant idea of knee-cap and knee position than the normal scan position (lying in). What are the possible benefits and risks of participating? The risks of participating are minimal. None of the procedures have high risk. All participants will be asked if they have an allergy to tape prior to application. Stair descent can be challenging with arthritis and so subjects will wear a safety harness operated by one of the research team. MRI has no known risks. The benefits will be added information about how subjects walk, if they are adopting unusual ways of going up and down stairs and if the brace changes these for the better. They will be given a new brace for the tests which they can take away with them to wear if they find it helpful. Where is the study run from? The study will take place in the gait lab and MRI scanner at the Manchester Metropolitan University. It is sponsored by the University of Manchester. When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for? The study took place between April and December 2012. Who is funding the study? The study is funded by Arthritis Research UK. Who is the main contact? Michael Callaghan [email protected]

Critère d'inclusion

• Patellofemoral Osteoarthritis

Liens

• ictrp
• isrctn