Motor and Sensory Deficits Following Partial Meniscectomy

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Meniscus Tear
• Interventions: Other: Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation

• Registration Number: NCT02100059
• Lead Sponsor: Creighton University

Brief Summary

To determine changes in thigh muscle function and knee pain after a partial meniscectomy surgery and to also determine the effects of applying electrical stimulation to the knee to determine if this improves thigh muscle function and decreases pain.

Detailed Description

The objective for this study is to determine the differences in corticospinal excitability and central sensitization of nociceptive pathways in individuals with a history of arthroscopic partial meniscectomy compared to healthy controls. Our central hypothesis is that quadriceps weakness following partial meniscectomy is due to higher levels of corticospinal excitability and central sensitization of nociceptive pathways, which can be modified with therapeutic interventions.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2013-10
• Study First Submitted: 2014-01-13
• Study First Submitted QC: 2014-03-27
• Study First Posted: 2014-03-31
• Primary Completion: 2015-07
• Study Completion: 2015-07
• Status Verified: 2015-12
• Last Update Submitted: 2015-12-10
• Last Update Posted: 2015-12-14

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 60

Inclusion Criteria

• Age 15-65
• Arthroscopic partial meniscectomy with in the past 15 years

Exclusion Criteria

• History of traumatic spine or lower extremity injury within the last 6 months
• Previous adverse reaction to electrical stimulation (i.e. burns or hypersensitivity)
• Cardiac pacemaker
• Metal implants in head
• Current pregnancy
• Neurological disorders
• History of seizures
• Unable to give consent or understand the procedures of this study

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: SINGLE_GROUP

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Electrical Stimulation (TENS)	Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation	The TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) electrodes will be applied on the medial and lateral superior, as well as the medial and lateral inferior, borders of the patella. A continuous biphasic pulsatile current (150 Hz, phase duration 150 µs) will be applied at an intensity that produces a comfortable sensation but not a muscle contraction. The duration of intervention will be 40 minutes.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Changes in quadriceps force output and voluntary activation	Single Study Visit	Quadriceps activation will be estimated by utilizing the burst-superimposition technique on a maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) and during a resting condition.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Creighton University; 🇺🇸 Omaha, Nebraska, United States