NCT03196063 - Effectiveness of Two Exercise Protocols in the Treatment of Patients With Patellar Tendinopathy | Crick

Overview

Patellar tendinopathy is characterized by anterior pain in the knee, due to the great demand imposed on the extensor mechanism of the knee. Evidence shows that the most appropriate treatment for this condition is the conservative treatment, through strengthening with eccentric exercises. However, a recent editorial proposes a new treatment protocol based on concentric and eccentric exercises, with the initial prescription of isometric exercises. The hypothesis of this study is that the protocol is as good as the eccentric exercises, generating less pain.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

12

Conditions

Patellar Tendinopathy

Interventions

EccentricOTHER

Exercises based on eccentric contractions of the quadriceps femoris muscle, using a 15º inclined plane. A serie of 15 repetitions of the squat will be performed, with the frequency of three times a week for eight weeks. The load of the exercises will be increased weekly.

Modified ProtocolOTHER

Protocol based on the Heavy Slow resistance program, with the addition of an isometric phase at the beginning of the protocol, and with exercises using body weight without the use of mechanotherapy.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 40 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * patients with chronic unilateral patellar tendinopathy confirmed by the reproduction of the pain during the palpation test in the region of the lower pole of the patella * presence of pain for three months or more * both genders * body mass index less than 30 kg/m² * age between 18 and 40 years * practice of physical activity on a regular basis * pain intensity ≥ 3 points on the pain numerical rating scale in the anterior region of the knee, specifically in the region of the lower pole of the patella when performing squatting, jumping or activities with change of direction * score \< 80 points on the Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment-Patella (VISA-P) * blazine functional scale between 1 and 3 Exclusion Criteria: * patients who have previous pain in the knee that does not correspond to patellar tendinopathy * previous rupture of the patellar tendon (blazin functional scale at level 4) * previous surgery or infiltration of the patellar tendon in the last six months * inflammatory diseases * diabetes mellitus * lower limbs injuries * other chronic pain conditions that prevent exercise, such as severe hip and knee osteoarthrosis and joint fractures.

Locations (1)

Physical Therapy Outpatient Department

São Paulo, Brazil

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Pain intensity during rest

This outcome will be evaluated by an 11-point scale ranging from 0 to 10, in which 0 represents "no pain" and 10 represents "pain as bad as it could be." The participant will classify his average pain in the last 7 days.

Time frame: 8 weeks after randomization

Functional capacity

VISA-P questionnaire assesses the symptoms and disability of patients with patellar tendinopathy. It is a questionnaire with eight questions, six of them on a Likert scale, ranging from 0 to 10 points, where 0 represents the maximum severity of the disease and 10 represents no pain or limitation. Question 7 has four possible answers (0, 4, 7 and 10 points). Question 8 has a subdivision (8A, 8B and 8C), in which only one can be answered, depending on the perception of pain during sport activities, varying up to 30 points. The total score of the questionnaire varies between 0 and 100 points, with 100 points corresponding to the absence of pain or disability.

Time frame: 8 weeks after randomization

Secondary Outcomes

Pain intensity during rest

This outcome will be evaluated by an 11-point scale ranging from 0 to 10, in which 0 represents "no pain" and 10 represents "pain as bad as it could be." The participant will classify his average pain in the last 7 days.

Time frame: 12 weeks and 6 months after randomization

Functional capacity

VISA-P questionnaire assesses the symptoms and disability of patients with patellar tendinopathy. It is a questionnaire with eight questions, six of them on a Likert scale, ranging from 0 to 10 points, where 0 represents the maximum severity of the disease and 10 represents no pain or limitation. Question 7 has four possible answers (0, 4, 7 and 10 points). Question 8 has a subdivision (8A, 8B and 8C), in which only one can be answered, depending on the perception of pain during sport activities, varying up to 30 points. The total score of the questionnaire varies between 0 and 100 points, with 100 points corresponding to the absence of pain or disability.