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The Effect of Blood Flow Restriction Method in Patellar Instability

The Effect of Blood Flow Restriction Applied to the Extensor Muscles on Muscle Architecture and Strength, Knee Pain, and Functions in Minor Patellar Instability

Status
Not yet recruiting
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT05484141
Enrollment
34
Registered
2022-08-02
Start date
2026-01-01
Completion date
2026-12-30
Last updated
2025-12-26

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

Conditions

Patellar Abnormality

Brief summary

The blood flow restriction method, the effects of which have been frequently investigated in the literature in recent years, can produce muscle hypertrophy with low-intensity load and can be easily tolerated through to low mechanical stress, seems to be an exercise approach that can be used in the recovery of strength in cases with minor patellar instability and can contribute to the recovery of functional capacity without delay.

Detailed description

Patellar instability is defined as disruption of normal movement of the patella in the trochlear groove, symptomatic, medial-lateral displacement. Patients with patellar instability may not be able to tolerate high-intensity quadriceps exercises in the early period of strengthening programs due to pain symptoms, and therefore strength recovery may be delayed. However, it is important to restore muscle strength, especially vastus medialis obliquus strength, as early as possible in patellar instability. The blood flow restriction method, the effects of which have been frequently investigated in the literature in recent years, can produce muscle hypertrophy with low-intensity load and can be easily tolerated through to low mechanical stress, seems to be an exercise approach that can be used in the recovery of strength in cases with minor patellar instability and can contribute to the recovery of functional capacity without delay.

Interventions

OTHERRehabilitation with blood blow restriction

The rehabilitation program will be applied 2 days a week, for total of 8 weeks.

OTHERRehabilitation without blood flow restriction

The rehabilitation program will be applied 2 days a week, for total of 8 weeks.

Sponsors

Biruni University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE (Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 40 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Being between the ages of 18-40 years, * Volunteering to participate in the study, * Having a complaint of anterior knee pain for at least 3 months, * Having been diagnosed with unilateral minor patellar instability, * Absence of any other ongoing clinical problems that interfere with exercise (will be questioned by the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire for All).

Exclusion criteria

* History of one or more traumatic-atraumatic patella dislocations, * Evidence of osteoarthritis on radiological imaging (≥ Kellgren-Lawrence Stage 2) * Having at least one of the contraindications preventing the application of blood flow restrictive exercises (Smoking, previous venous thromboembolism, risk of peripheral vascular disease (ankle-brachial index \<0.9), coronary heart disease, hypertension, hemophilia, etc.), * Previously diagnosed cardiovascular disease limiting effort capacity (Myocardial infarction, angina, exercise intolerance, etc.), * Previously diagnosed neurological disorder or cognitive dysfunction (stroke, dementia, schizophrenia, etc.), * Orthopedic lower extremity surgery in the last 1 year, * Body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Assessment of Muscle Architecture and Hypertrophy8 weeksA portable, diagnostic B-mode ultrasound device with a linear probe will be used to evaluate the quadriceps muscle architecture. Cross-sectional areas, muscle thicknesses, fascicle lengths, and pennation angles, the architectural parameters of both thigh muscles, will be assessed by ultrasound. All assessments will be calculated as millimeters.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Assessment of Muscle Strength8 weeksThe concentric and eccentric strength of the knee extensor muscle (quadriceps) and its antagonist (hamstring), will be measured using the isokinetic dynamometer.
Assessment of Pain8 weeksVisual Analogue Scale (VAS) will be used to evaluate the severity of pain in the knee of patients during activity, at rest, and at night. In the evaluation of pain intensity with VAS, the patient is asked to mark his pain above the 10-centimeter line defined as 0-no pain and 10 unbearable pain at both ends.
Evaluation of Functions8 weeksThe Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale (TKS) will be used to evaluate kinesiophobia. The lower extremity functional capacity of the subjects will be evaluated with the 1-minute sit-to-stand test, and the knee functions will be evaluated with the Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale and the Kujala Patellofemoral Joint Evaluation Scale, which are patient-answered scales that are recommended to be used in cases with patellar instability. In addition, fatigue determination after each application will be made with the Borg CR-10 Perceived Fatigue Scale. Scales will be filled by the face-to-face evaluation method.
Evaluation of Satisfaction and Change8th weekGeneral satisfaction and the change in clinical status perceived by the participants will be evaluated with the 7 points Global Rating of Change Scale after the rehabilitation program. According to the scale, it is expressed as -3: I am much worse, -2: I am worse, -1: I am a little worse, 0: No change, 1: I am a little better, 2: I am better, 3: I am much better.

Contacts

Primary ContactBegüm KARA KAYA, MSc
bkara@biruni.edu.tr+905355720021

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026