Knee problems Musculoskeletal Diseases Knee problems
Conditions
Interventions
All general practice staff are invited to a training session about the appropriate use of MRI and interpretation of findings.
Within practices individual participants will be randomised between:
1.
and
2. The local orthopaedic department for a consultation with the specialist - depending on the result of this visit, the surgeon might then send the participant for an MRI scan.
To ensure that t
Sponsors
University of York (UK)
Eligibility
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: 1. People aged between 18 and 55 2. Suspected internal derangement of the knee suggesting meniscal or ligamentous patello-femoral joint-pain 3. Continuing symptoms at least six weeks after the initial consultation during the study period despite conservative treatment (e.g., analgesics, physiotherapy or tubigrip) 4. GP is considering orthopaedic or MRI referral
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria: 1. The GP judges that urgent orthopaedic referral is necessary at the initial consultation 2. Suspected osteoarthritis or other non-traumatic arthropathy 3. Isolated patello-femoral joint pain 4. Previous MRI scan within this episode of care 5. Previous surgical intervention (excluding diagnostic arthroscopy) on the same knee 6. Contraindications to the use of MRI, for example pacemaker, intra-cranial aneurysm clips, or orbital metallic foreign body 7. Patients who reside in Orkney or Shetland
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| The primary outcome measure is the change in the physical functioning sub-scale of the Short Form 36-item questionnaire (SF-36) at six months. A change of 6.75 points on the scale has been agreed as being clinically significant. | — |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| No secondary outcome measures | — |
Countries
United Kingdom
Outcome results
None listed