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Intra-articular Hyaluronic Acid Injection for Therapy-resistant Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

Phase 2
Conditions
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
Interventions
Device: Hylan G-F 20
Registration Number
NCT02613247
Lead Sponsor
University of Calgary
Brief Summary

Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is the most common overuse injury seen in the athletic population, particularly amongst runners. The standard of care treatment for PFPS is a comprehensive active rehabilitation program. Eighty percent of patients with PFPS report improvement in their symptoms with such a program. Unfortunately, the remaining twenty percent fail to achieve adequate symptom relief with rehabilitation alone. Considering the enormous number of individuals running for fitness, PFPS represents a significant challenge to public health as the investigators strive to encourage active living in our society.

A relationship between PFPS and the development of patellofemoral osteoarthritis (PFOA) has been suggested in scientific literature. Given that intra-articular viscosupplementation (hyaluronic acid) injections have shown clinically significant symptom improvement in knee osteoarthritis, and PFPS is likely on the same spectrum, the investigators propose a trial for therapy-resistant PFPS.

Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring molecule found in the synovial fluid of freely movable joints (such as the knee). It is believed to contribute to lubrication and cushioning in these joints. The composition of synovial fluid within arthritic joints is altered, resulting in reduced fluid viscosity and elasticity. One modern formulation of hyaluronic acid is Hylan G-F 20 (Synvisc-One, Sanofi Canada). This treatment is offered as a single injection and will be utilized in this clinical trial.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
UNKNOWN
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
50
Inclusion Criteria
  1. Adults aged 18-45
  2. Previously diagnosed with PFPS that failed to improve with at least 6 weeks of active rehabilitation, supervised by physiotherapist.
  3. Retropatellar or peripatellar knee pain for a minimum of 2 months
  4. Pain aggravated by at least two of the following patellofemoral joint loading activities: squatting, running, ascending or descending stairs, or sitting with prolonged knee flexion
  5. Pain with patellar grind test on clinical examination
  6. Visual Analog Scale (VAS) > 4/10 with patellofemoral joint loading activities
  7. Normal knee x-ray
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Exclusion Criteria
  1. X-ray evidence of osteoarthritis or fracture
  2. Meniscal or ligamentous injury suspected clinical examination
  3. Previous knee surgery
  4. History of patellar instability or positive patellar apprehension test
  5. Any contraindication to knee injection (overlying skin or joint infection, joint effusion, coagulopathy, previous adverse reaction etc.)
  6. Known allergy to avian products
  7. Previous knee injection within the last 3 months
  8. Pregnant or breastfeeding
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Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Delayed-start groupHylan G-F 20Washout control group which then becomes an experimental group (Hylan G-F 20 6 mL intra-articular knee injection) at 6 weeks post-enrolment
Immediate-start groupHylan G-F 20Hylan G-F 20 6 mL intra-articular knee injection
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Pain measured using the visual analog scale (VAS)6 weeks
Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Function measured using the Anterior Knee Pain Scale (AKPS)6 weeks and 12 weeks
Kinetic and kinematic dataBaseline compared to 6 weeks post injection

Data will be collected using a 3-D motion analysis system with 8 cameras and an instrumented treadmill

Pain measured using the visual analog scale (VAS)Weekly until 12 weeks post injection

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Calgary Running Injury Clinic

🇨🇦

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

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