Knowledge Translation and Exercise for Degenerative Meniscal Tears and Early Osteoarthritis: KNEE-DEeP Study
Knowledge Translation and Exercise for Degenerative Meniscal Tears and Early Osteoarthritis: the KNEE-DEeP Feasibility Study
University of Limerick
36 participants
Jun 1, 2024
INTERVENTIONAL
Conditions
Summary
Knee pain due to a degenerative meniscal tear (DMT) or early osteoarthritis (OA) is a frequent presentation in middle-aged and older adults. In the knee joint a DMT can occur normally with age, but is also associated with the continuum of knee OA. Exercise is recommended as the main treatment to aid recovery, while an arthroscopy (camera in the knee) to remove torn cartilage does not provide any additional benefit. Despite this many patients in Ireland with this type of knee pain are referred to an orthopaedic surgeon by their GP, and do not receive recommended care from their physiotherapist. The first phase of this project designed the KNEE-DEeP (Knowledge Translation and Exercise for Early Degenerative Knee Pain) intervention to deliver better care to patients with DMT and early OA. The overall aim of this feasibility study is to test the KNEE-DEeP intervention to ensure it can be delivered as planned and it is acceptable to patients, and health care professionals (HCPs) involved in intervention delivery; GPs and physiotherapists. This is in preparation for carrying out a larger future trial. As part of the intervention, GPs and physiotherapists will receive an educational workshop. Patient participants in turn will receive an 'enhanced consultation' from their participating GP and a 'best practice' physiotherapy session focusing on strategies to enhance self-management. This approach will be tested out by enrolling 15 GPs, five physiotherapist and 36 patients in the feasibility study. Patients will be followed up after 12 weeks and six months to track their progress. As part of the evaluation all GPs, physiotherapists and patients will complete questionnaires and a sub-set will provide more in-depth feedback via interviews conducted over the phone or online.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria5
- Attended their GP with an episode of non-traumatic knee pain
- Have knee pain attributed to a DMT or early degenerative changes based on the GP's clinical assessment (this standardised assessment is a component of the GP training)
- Aged between 35 and 69 years inclusive
- Eligible GPs will be working in practices within traveling distance (\< 50 km) of University Hospital Kerry and willing to attend a two-hour training workshop
- Eligible physiotherapists will be involved in the delivery of outpatient musculoskeletal physiotherapy services at University Hospital Kerry and available to participate in training to deliver the 'best practice' physiotherapy intervention
Exclusion Criteria9
- Recent trauma likely to be associated with considerable tissue damage
- Fulfilling the American College of Rheumatology clinical classification criteria for knee OA (these criteria reflect later signs of OA or established disease)
- Moderate or advanced knee OA on x-ray (or Kellgren-Lawrence x-ray score ≥ Grade 3)
- Having an acutely swollen or locked knee, or suspected ligament injury on physical exam
- Inflammatory arthritis
- Surgery or significant trauma of the index knee within the previous 2 years
- Pregnancy
- Unable to communicate in English
- Preference for accessing physiotherapy treatment privately prior to the 'best practice' session.
Interested in this trial?
Get notified about updates and connect with the research team.
Interventions
The intervention for health care professionals (GPs and physiotherapists) will consist of training and education. The two-hour educational workshop for GPs will focus on diagnosis and management of patients with early degenerative knee pain, and enhancing communication skills. Training for physiotherapists will focus on delivery of a 'best practice' session. The patient participant intervention will consist of an 'enhanced consultation' delivered by the GP. This will involve a physical exam, key educational messages, written information and a treatment plan. Patients will receive a single session of physiotherapy within 2 weeks of referral from their GP. This 'best practice' session will focus on self-management skills, targeted patient education, goal setting, action planning and exercise prescription.
Locations(1)
View Full Details on ClinicalTrials.gov
For the most up-to-date information, visit the official listing.
NCT06576557