Clinical trial NCT02379364: Diacutaneous Fibrolysis and Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
Official title: Effectiveness of Diacutaneous Fibrolysis Technique on Pain, Range of Motion, Strength and Function in Patients With Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: COMPLETED
Phase: PHASE3
Conditions: Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
Keywords: Physiotherapy
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
Manual therapy
Lead sponsor: Universidad de Zaragoza
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2015-03-04
Enrollment: 60
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 16
Maximum age (years): 40
Standard ages: CHILD
ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: no
Allocation: NA
Intervention model: SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose: TREATMENT

Brief summary: The aim of the study will be to assess the effectiveness of Diacutaneous Fibrolysis technique on pain, range of motion (Patellofemoral joint mobility test and muscle length test), strength and function in patients with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome and muscle shortening.

Muscle imbalance is one of most important factor associated with Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome. Shortening of lateral muscles of the thigh have a close relationship with patella position and tracking and patellofemoral pain. The scientific evidence for effectiveness of any soft tissue mobilization technique in patellofemoral pain syndrome patients is poor.

Diacutaneous Fibrolysis is a non-invasive physiotherapeutic technique to release adherences and fibrosis between the different musculoskeletal structures. Diacutaneous Fibrolysis is applied by a set of metallic hooks having the advantage of allowing a deeper and more precise application, which could not be achieved manually.

The present study evaluates the effectiveness of Diacutaneous Fibrolysis technique applied in the soft tissues more related with patellofemoral pain.


Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* Unilateral or bilateral patellofemoral pain longer than three months
* Anterior or retropatellar pain of non-traumatic origin that is provoked by at least two of the following activities: prolonged sitting or kneeling, squatting, running, hopping, jumping, or stair ascending/descending.
* The presence of pain on palpation of the patellar facets, on step down from 25 cm step, or during a double leg squat.
* Pain over the previous week equal to or greater than 3 on a 10-cm visual analogue scale.
* The presence of muscle shortening in rectus femoris or tensor fascia lata muscle length test and/or hypo-mobility or stiffness in the compartmental muscle play.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Previous knee surgery or traumatic lesions
* Concomitant injury or pathology of other knee structures
* History of patella subluxation or dislocation
* Evidence of knee joint effusion
* Pain in and/or referred from the hip or lumbar spine
* Currently undergoing physiotherapy treatment for Patellofemoral pain syndrome or use anti-inflammatories or corticosteroid medication at the same time of the study.
* Subjects unable or unwilling to give informed to written consent or fulfil questionnaires.

Primary outcomes:
measure: Change from baseline in pain intensity
timeFrame: 2 weeks
Secondary outcomes:
measure: Pressure Pain Threshold
timeFrame: 2 weeks
measure: Muscle Length Test
timeFrame: 2 weeks
measure: Isometric Strength of Quadriceps Muscle
timeFrame: 2 weeks
measure: Functional Capacity
timeFrame: 2 weeks
measure: Functional Status and disability
timeFrame: 2 weeks
measure: Global Rating of Change Scale
timeFrame: 2 weeks
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Zaragoza
country: Spain
facility: Unidad de Investigación en Fisioterapia. Universidad de Zaragoza
Study officials:
affiliation: Unidad de Investigación en Fisioterapia. Universidad de Zaragoza
name: Pablo Fanlo, PhD
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
References: