Effects of Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy on Meniscal Healing, Symptom Relief, and Knee Function

Change in Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) Scores for Pain, Symptoms, Activities of Daily Living, Sport/Recreation Function, and Knee-Related Quality of Life

The KOOS score is a 42-item patient-reported outcome measure assessing five subscales: Pain (9 items, score range 0-100), Symptoms (7 items, 0-100), Activities of Daily Living (17 items, 0-100), Sport/Recreation Function (5 items, 0-100), and Quality of Life (4 items, 0-100). Each subscale is scored separately from 0 (extreme problems) to 100 (no problems), with higher scores indicating better outcomes.

Time frame: Baseline to 1-, 2-, 6-, and 12-months post intervention

Change in Western Ontario Meniscal Evaluation Tool (WOMET) Scores for Physical Symptoms, Sports/Work/Lifestyle, and Emotional Domains

The WOMET is a 16-item patient-reported questionnaire assessing meniscal tear-related quality of life across three domains: Physical Symptoms (10 items), Sports/Recreation/Work/Lifestyle (4 items), and Emotions (2 items). Each item is scored from 0 (no problem) to 5 (extreme problem), with total scores transformed to a 0-100 scale where 0 represents the best possible status and 100 represents the worst possible status. Higher scores indicate worse outcomes.

Time frame: Baseline, 1, 2, 6, and 12 months post-intervention

Change from Baseline in Active Knee Range of Motion at 12 Month

Participant-initiated knee flexion-extension range measured in degrees using standardized goniometry, recording movement from full extension to maximum voluntary flexion.

Time frame: Baseline, weekly during the 8-week intervention, and at 2-, 6-, and 12-months post commencement of intervention.

Change from Baseline in Passive Knee Range of Motion at 12 Month

Researcher-assisted knee flexion-extension range measured in degrees using standardized goniometry, recording movement from full extension to maximum assisted flexion without participants' muscle activation

Time frame: Baseline, weekly during the 8-week intervention, and at 2-, 6-, and 12-months post commencement of intervention

Change from Baseline in 60-Second Sit-to-Stand Test Score (Number of Repetitions) at 12 Months

Quantifies lower limb functional strength and endurance by counting the maximum number of full sit-to-stand cycles completed in 60 seconds from a standardized-height chair. Higher counts indicate better functional performance.

Time frame: Baseline, weekly during the 8-week intervention, and at 2-, 6-, and 12-months post commencement of intervention.

Change from Baseline in 30-Second Step-Up Test Score (Number of Repetitions) at 12 Months

The maximum number of complete step-up cycles performed in 30 seconds on a standardized step. Higher counts indicate better unilateral strength.

Time frame: Baseline, weekly during the 8-week intervention, and at 2-, 6-, and 12-months post intervention

Change from Baseline in 30-Second Step-Down Test Score (Number of Repetitions) at 12 Months

Quantifies unilateral lower limb strength by counting the maximum number of complete step-down cycles performed in 30 seconds on a standardized step. Higher counts indicate better unilateral strength and eccentric control.

Time frame: Baseline, weekly during the 8-week intervention, and at 2-, 6-, and 12-months post commencement of intervention

Change from Baseline in Tissue Oxygenation 8 Weeks Using Photoacoustic Ultrasound Imaging

Oxygenation saturation levels (%) measured by photoacoustic ultrasound around the meniscal tissue area.

Time frame: Weekly during the 8-week intervention

Change from Baseline Vascularity Levels at 8 weeks using Photoacoustic Ultrasound Imaging.

Vascularity levels (AU) measured by photoacoustic ultrasound around the meniscal tissue area.

Time frame: Weekly during the 8-week intervention

Change from baseline skin temperature around the knee joint at 8 weeks using infrared thermography imaging.

Time frame: Weekly during the 8-week intervention

Change from Baseline in Meniscal Morphology at 8 Weeks Using Ultrasound Imaging

Meniscal structural integrity assessed via standardized ultrasound protocol using a validated 4-point scale where higher grades indicate worse pathology.

Time frame: Baseline and weekly during the 8-week intervention

Number of participants with re-injury and associated ligament injuries, as assessed via both clinical examination and MRI.

A re-injury or new ligament injury will be confirmed if both clinical examination indicates instability or significant changes from baseline, and MRI shows new or worsened structural damage compared to baseline images. We will document all instances of re-injury or new ligament injuries, including their nature and severity. The incidence of re-injuries and new ligament injuries will be compared between the PEMF and control groups, and we will analyze any correlation between meniscal healing status and the occurrence of re-injuries.

Time frame: Baseline to 6 months post commencement of intervention

Change in Static Postural Control Assessed by Zebris Stance Analysis

Quantitative postural control assessment during 10-second standing on the Zebris stance analysis system, which consists of a capacitance-based foot pressure platform inserted within a treadmill. Parameters include postural sway and weight distribution such as sway area, forefoot vs heel force ratio, left vs right symmetry

Time frame: Baseline, weekly during the 8-week intervention, and at 2-, 6-, and 12-months post intervention

Change in Gait Function Assessed by Zebris Gait Analysis

Quantitative gait analysis during 5-minute walking on the Zebris gait analysis system, which consists of a capacitance-based foot pressure platform inserted within a treadmill. Spatiotemporal parameters (gait speed, step length, stride length, cadence), dynamic balance (centre of pressure path length, lateral symmetry index), and load distribution metrics (peak heel/forefoot pressure, weight transfer timing) will be collected.

Time frame: Baseline, weekly during the 8-week intervention, and at 2-, 6-, and 12-months post intervention

Change in Running Function Assessed by Zebris Gait Analysis

Quantitative gait analysis during a 5-minute run on the Zebris gait analysis system, which consists of a capacitance-based foot pressure platform inserted within a treadmill. Spatiotemporal parameters (gait speed, step length, stride length, cadence), dynamic balance (centre of pressure path length, lateral symmetry index), and load distribution metrics (peak heel/forefoot pressure, weight transfer timing) will be collected.

Time frame: Baseline, weekly during the 8-week intervention, and at 2-, 6-, and 12-months post intervention