The Open Kinetic Chain and Closed Kinetic Chain Strengthening Exercises in Degenerative Meniscus Tears

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Knee Pain Swelling; Meniscus Tear; Degenerative Disease

• Registration Number: NCT06447142
• Lead Sponsor: Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa

Brief Summary

This randomized-controlled trial aims to compare the effect of open kinetic chain and closed kinetic chain strengthening exercises on pain, function, and health-related quality of life in degenerative meniscus tears.

Detailed Description

Patients with degenerative meniscus tears between the ages of 35 and 65 will be randomly divided into two groups: Group 1 (open kinetic chain strengthening exercises) and Group 2 (closed kinetic chain strengthening exercises). Interventions will be applied for 16 sessions (twice a week for 8 weeks). The patients will be assessed at baseline and at the end of the 8-week intervention. The pain during activity, at rest, and at night will be assessed with the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Active range of motion will be assessed with a digital goniometer. Isometric muscle strength will be measured with a handheld dynamometer. The functional status and symptoms will be evaluated by the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale. Health-related quality of life will be assessed with the Short Form-12 (SF-12).

Study Timeline

• Status Verified: 2024-06
• Study First Submitted: 2024-06-03
• Study First Submitted QC: 2024-06-03
• Study First Posted: 2024-06-06
• Study Start: 2024-06-10
• Primary Completion: 2024-10-25
• Study Completion: 2025-01-10
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-06-10
• Last Update Posted: 2025-06-13

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 56

Inclusion Criteria

• Being aged between 35 and 65 years
• Having the degenerative meniscus tear in at least one knee
• Having body mass index in the range of 18-30 kg/m2
• Feeling the pain that lasts for at least 2 months
• Having grade 1 or grade 2 degenerative meniscal tear diagnosed by an orthopedic specialist according to the MRI results
• Access to the internet via a computer or smartphone
• Ability to read and write in Turkish

Exclusion Criteria

• Having undergone arthroscopic partial meniscectomy surgery due to degenerative meniscal tear
• Participating in a physiotherapy program for degenerative meniscal tear in the last 12 weeks
• Have received steroid injections in the last 6 months
• Accompanying conditions such as injury to the surrounding ligaments, congenital anomaly in the affected knee, coxarthrosis and spinal stenosis
• Presence of any systemic disorder that may affect assessment parameters
• Any health condition that may prevent participation in physical activity or an exercise program (e.g., severe cardiovascular, respiratory, neurological, or musculoskeletal disorders)
• Failure to cooperate with assessments

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS)	Baseline	Short-term and long-term symptoms and function will be assessed with the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) that is developed as an extension of the WOMAC Osteoarthritis Index. The score is a percentage score from 0 to 100, 0 representing extreme problems and 100 representing no problems.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Active Range of Motion	At the end of 8-week intervention	Active knee range of motion including flexion and extension will be measured described by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) using a digital goniometer.
Muscle Strength	At the end of the 8-week intervention	Isometric muscle strength will be measured with a handheld dynamometer for knee flexors and extensors. The process will be repeated three times in each direction, with the average value recorded.
Lysholm Score	At the end of the 8-week intervention	Functional limitations related to degenerative meniscal tear will be used with the Lysholm Score that is one of the most frequently used functional questionnaires. The total score is the sum of each response to the eight questions, and may range from 0-100. Higher scores indicate a better outcome with fewer symptoms or disability.
Short Form-12 (SF-12)	At the end of the 8-week intervention	Short Form-12 (SF-12), which is developed based on Short Form-36, consists of 12 items: 7 items dealing with the physical components scores (PCS-12) and 5 items related to the mental components scores (MCS-12) of SF-12. Range of both scores is 0 to 100, where the higher scores indicate better health related quality of life.
Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS)	At the end of 8-week intervention	Short-term and long-term symptoms and function will be assessed with the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) that is developed as an extension of the WOMAC Osteoarthritis Index. The score is a percentage score from 0 to 100, 0 representing extreme problems and 100 representing no problems.
Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)	At the end of 8-week intervention	Pain intensity will be measured using the visual analogue scale (VAS). The participants will be asked to indicate their perceived pain at rest, during activity and at night on the 10 cm line between no pain and terrible pain. The score will be determined by measuring the distance on 10 cm line using a ruler. The higher scores indicate an higher level of pain.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa; 🇹🇷 Istanbul, Bakırkoy, Turkey