CompletedNot Applicable

The Unstable Kneecap - the Impact of Anatomy on Function

United Kingdom30 participantsStarted 2015-12

Plain-language summary

The principal objective of the study is to find out which everyday activities make the kneecap unstable in people with patellofemoral instability. Analysing how a patient with an unstable kneecap walks will help us to determine if surgery is successful in these patients by seeing if better scores on patient questionnaires are found in patients following surgery and whether these patients also have a better pattern of walking. The investigators aim to use cameras and pressure pads to see how patients walk before and after surgery and see how this compares to patient scores on the questionnaires. If the investigators find that patients walk better after surgery they can justify that surgery is worthwhile for the patient and cost effective for the NHS.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 50 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Patient subjects will be considered eligible for the study group if they have had two or more episodes of patellar dislocation or multiple episodes of subluxation with at least one of the following: * Positive patellar apprehension test * Tenderness along the medial retinaculum * Abnormal patellar tracking or position * Control participants should be healthy subjects with no history of knee injury or surgery * All participants will need to have the capacity to give informed consent in English * All participants must be able to use public transport or drive Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnancy * Breast feeding * Arthritis * Participation in other studies

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Number of participants with abnormal gait who have patellar instability

Timeframe: Before surgery

Trial details

NCT IDNCT02569931

SponsorSt George's, University of London

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2021-12

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Patellar Dislocation trials