Exercise in Patients With Hypermobile Joints and Knee Pain

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN DENMARK · Feb 17, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying whether a specific type of exercise, called high-load resistance training, can help reduce knee pain in young adults aged 18 to 45 who have hypermobile joints. Hypermobile joints mean that some people can move their joints beyond the normal range of motion, which can sometimes lead to pain and discomfort, especially in the knees. The researchers want to see if this targeted exercise program is better than the usual care currently offered for managing this kind of pain.

To be eligible for the trial, participants need to have had persistent knee pain for at least three months and a certain level of pain in the past week. They also need to have been assessed for joint hypermobility using a specific questionnaire and tests. However, some people may not qualify, such as those who have had recent knee surgery, are pregnant, or have certain health conditions. If someone is eligible and decides to participate, they can expect to engage in a structured exercise program aimed at improving their knee pain and overall activity levels. This trial is currently looking for participants, and it’s a great opportunity for those who are struggling with knee discomfort related to hypermobility.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• • Inclusion criteria
• • Persistent knee pain for ≥ 3 months (self-reported)
• • Knee pain ≥ 30mm during the last week using a 0-100 mm visual analogue scale (VAS; 0=no pain and 100=worst imaginable pain) (self-reported)
• • Generalised joint hypermobility assessed with the Five-Part Hypermobility Questionnaire (positive ≥ 2/5) (self-reported)
• • Local knee joint hypermobility using the passive hyperextension of the knee in standing (positive \> 10 degrees of hyperextension) and confirmed in supine lying (heel resting on 20 cm high block on the bench surface), with passive knee hyperextension (positive \> 10 degrees) (objectively measured)
• • Exclusion criteria
• • Diagnosed with patellar tendinopathy
• • Pregnancy or childbirth within the past year (due to increased levels of relaxin that could affect joint stability)
• • Knee surgery within the past year
• • Participation in regular structured resistance training within the past six months
• • Inability to speak and understand Danish.
• • All types of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
• • Other heritable connective tissue disorders such as Marfan syndrome, osteogenesis imperfecta, Loeys-Dietz syndrome, Stickler syndrome, skeletal dysplasias
• • Autoimmune rheumatic connective tissue disorders such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis; Chromosomal conditions such as Fragile X syndrome, Kabuki syndrome, Down syndrome
• • Neuromuscular disorders that can cause joints to become unstable, such as multiple sclerosis