Does the type of knee brace used after kneecap dislocation affect pain and function ?

The effect of full versus partial immobilisation on functional outcomes and redislocation rates in individuals with acute first time patella dislocations

Status

Completed

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

ANZCTR

Registry ID

ACTRN12612000366853

Enrollment

Registered

2012-03-29

Start date

2012-06-01

Completion date

2013-07-01

Last updated

2020-01-13

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

None listed

Brief summary

This study aims to compare standard full immobilisation protocols with partial immobilisation for 3 weeks on the functional and treatment outcomes and redislocation rates of individuals with first time patella dislocations. It also aims to examine the effect of generalised joint hypermobility on outcomes after first-time patella dislocation. Hypotheses This study will test the hypothesis that those treated with the partial immobilisation brace will have better functional outcomes with no change in redislocation rates compared to full immobilisation. In addition, it is hypothesised that those treated with full immobilisation, will require more physiotherapy than those treated with a partial immobilisation stabilising brace, in order to regain the same level of function. It is also hypothesised that participants with generalised joint hypermobility will have greater redislocation rates than those who are not hypermobile in both groups.

Interventions

Participants who present with a first time patella dislocation will be randomly assigned to one of two immobilisation braces (full or partial immobilisation) for 3 weeks. The partial immobilisation group will be the intervention. The full immobilisation brace maintains the knee in full extension, the partial immobilisation brace allows limited knee flexion and maintains pressure on the lateral side of the patella. Both groups will wear the allocated brace full-time for 3 weeks from the date of i

Study design

Allocation

Randomised controlled trial

Intervention model

Parallel

Primary purpose

Treatment

Masking

Blinded (masking used)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Age

12 Years to No maximum

Healthy volunteers

Inclusion criteria

Acute first time patella dislocation Patients presenting to emergency department within 24 hours of injury Evidence of dislocation: Reduced in emergency department OR dislocation clearly described by patient or qualified health professional

Exclusion criteria

Recurrent patellar dislocation Lack of evidence of dislocation Fracture or osteochondral lesion Tibiofemoral ligament injury requiring repair Previous knee surgery Previous substantial knee injury Pre- existing pathological condition of knee Unable to follow treatment regimen Non- English speaking participant or parent if participant under 18.

Outcome results